Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has stated that he respects former president and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed's opinion, and that he will be seeking an appeal in the ventilator corruption case if needed.

Speaking on Raajje TV's "Fashaa Iru" programme, PG Shameem expressed that he had always respected Speaker Nasheed, and that Speaker Nasheed was most protective of the Maldives' best interests. As such, PG Shameem stated that he accepted Speaker Nasheed's opinion wholeheartedly.

PG Shameem noted that Speaker Nasheed has always been very truthful and transparent with his statements, and that PG Shameem had also received the message sent to the MDP WhatsApp group calling for his resignation.

PG Shameem declined to provide additional comments on the issue of his resignation, as he respected Speaker Nasheed too much to do so. He added that he believed Speaker Nasheed's opinion on the matter was the best as well.

The Prosecutor General went on to express that he did not have an overly strong desire to retain his position, and that would resign if needed under the procedure set to do so.

PG Shameem stated that he might be seeking an appeal in the ventilator case following a message sent by Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed to the MDP National Council WhatsApp group on Friday night, where the Speaker asserted that PG Shameem had failed to investigate the ventilator corruption case and publicly called for his resignation.

The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) had earlier decided that they will not be pursuing charges against after reviewing their earlier decision to not prosecute suspects in relation to the case of corruption in acquiring ventilators needed to treat patients of Covid-19.

The PGO stated that the office had reviewed the case of corruption in relation to the acquisition of ventilators by the Ministry of Health, following new information submitted to the PGO by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Former Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen, who resigned from his position following the allegations of corruption, faces charges in this case along with 11 others.

Further, PG Shameem earlier stated that the Maldives Police Service and the ACC had failed to share information relevant to the case with the PGO. The issue of the ACC and MPS withholding information in the ventilator corruption case has since been forwarded to review to the People's Majlis Judiciary Committee.