COLOMBO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has suspended three Supreme Court justices, PSM News, the official state media of the Maldives, reported on Wednesday.
They are Azmiralda Zahir, Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Husnu Al Suood.
PSM News said the justices were suspended as a consequence of an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the authority responsible for preventing and investigating corruption within the public sector.
The PSM also said the parliament has passed an amendment to the Judicature Act, seeking to reduce the composition of the Supreme Court from seven to five justices, to align the judiciary more closely with the nation's constitutional principles and ensure it serves the best interests of the people.
PSM said the composition of the Supreme Court has fluctuated over the years. Although the bench comprised five justices initially, the number increased to seven upon the establishment of the permanent Supreme Court in 2010. The count was reduced back to five in 2014 under former President Abdulla Yameen's administration, only to be increased to seven again during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's tenure, PSM said. ■
