MPs Azim and Nashiz disqualified from parliament

Supreme Court has ruled that Alifushi MP Mohamed Nashiz and Medhu-Henveiru MP Ali Azim are no longer qualified to stay in parliament.

Qualification status as MPs of Azim and Nashiz was brought into question following non-repayment of the loans taken from Bank of Maldives (BML) by Funaddoo Tuna Products. Civil Court ordered to repay the loans worth MVR 117 million on 7 February 2010, an order which was supported by High Court. However the loans have thus far not been paid.

Consequently, Civil Court ruled last November that BML can liquidate the assets that were mortgaged to obtain this loan.

Article 73 (c) (1) of the Constitution states that an MP immediately becomes disqualified if he has a decreed debt which is not being paid as provided in the judgement, and Article 74 states that any question concerning the qualifications or removal, or vacating of seats of an MP shall be determined by the Supreme Court.

Former Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa also lost his parliament seat when he was found guilty of an unpaid, decreed debt.