Prosecutor General of the Maldives explained
The Prosecutor General of the Maldives is the chief legal officer responsible for conducting criminal prosecutions in the Republic of Maldives. The post was established under the 2008 Constitution, on 7 September 2008, and its primary role is to ensure the fair and impartial prosecution of criminal cases in the Maldives.[1] [2] The Prosecutor General (PG) is appointed by the President of the Maldives, with the approval of the People's Majlis, and serves for a term of five years, with eligibility for reappointment.[3]
Since its establishment in 2008, there has been 4 Prosecutors General.
History
The post of Prosecutor General was established on 7 September 2008.[4]
Powers
Article 220 of the Constitution of the Maldives stipulates that the Prosecutor General is required to carry out their duties in accordance with the Constitution and laws enacted by the People's Majlis.[5]
Responsibilities
- To supervise the prosecution of all criminal offences in the Maldives, and to consider and assess evidence presented by investigating bodies to determine whether charges should be pursued.
- To institute and conduct criminal proceedings against any person before any court in respect of any alleged offence.
- To oversee the legality of preliminary inquiries and investigations into alleged criminal activity.
- To monitor and review the circumstances and conditions under which any person is arrested, detained or otherwise deprived of freedom prior to trial.
- To order any investigation that deems desirable into complaints of criminal activity or into any other criminal activity of which he becomes aware.
- To take over, review and continue any criminal proceedings instituted by any prosecuting body authorized to initiate prosecutions pursuant to a law enacted by the People's Majilis, and at his discretion to discontinue any criminal proceedings at any stage prior to judgment.
- To review or revert any decisions to prosecute or not to prosecute any alleged offender, or to discontinue any prosecution.
- To appeal any judgment, verdict or decision in a criminal matter; To issue policy directives which shall be observed in the entire prosecutorial process.
- To uphold the constitutional order, the law, and the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
Prosecutors general
| Portrait | Name | Term of office | |
|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office |
|---|
| 1 | | Ahmed Muizzu | 26 July 2009 | 25 November 2013 | | [6] [7] |
|---|
| Vacant (25 November 2013 – 22 July 2014) |
|---|
| 2 | | Muhthaz Muhsin | 22 July 2014 | 11 November 2015 | | [8] |
|---|
| 3 | | Aishath Bisam | 24 November 2015 | 28 November 2019 | | [9] |
|---|
| 4 | | Hussain Shameem | 8 December 2019 | 22 August 2024 | | [10] [11] |
|---|
| Vacant (22 August – 18 September 2024) |
|---|
| 5 | | Abbas Shareef | 18 September 2024 | Incumbent | | [12] | |
|---|
Notes and References
- Web site: Maldives - Legal System . . 24 August 2024.
- Web site: ދައުލަތުގެ މުއައްސަސާތައް . State institutions . . 24 August 2024 . dv . 4.
- REVIEW OF APPOINTMENT AND DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS OF SELECTED INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS OF MALDIVES . Transparency Maldives . 2 April 2017 . 29 .
- Web site: Introduction to the Office . Prosecutor General's Office . 24 August 2024 . En . The Prosecutor General’s Office was established in accordance with Article 220 of the Constitution ratified on 07 August 2008, which stipulates that there shall be an independent and impartial Prosecutor General in Maldives..
- Web site: Works, Aim, and Vision - Main Works . Prosecutor General's Office . 22 August 2024.
- Web site: The President appoints Uz Ahmed Muizzu as the Prosecutor General. 26 July 2009. 24 August 2024. The President's Office.
- Web site: Prosecutor General Uz. Ahmed Muizzu resigns. 25 November 2013. 24 August 2024. The President's Office.
- Web site: President appoints Uz. Muhthaz Muhusin as the Prosecutor General . 22 July 2014 . 24 August 2024. The President's Office.
- Web site: Former Prosecutor Generals . Prosecutor General's Office.
- Web site: 8 December 2019 . President appoints Uz Hussain Shameem as the Prosecutor General . 24 August 2024 . The President's Office.
- News: Hussain . Aishath . PG Shameem Resigns Amidst Parliamentary No-Confidence Debate . 23 August 2024 . Voice of Free Press . 24 August 2024.
- Web site: The President appoints Justice (Retired) Uz. Abbas Shareef as the Prosecutor General . The President's Office . 18 September 2024.
