Supreme Court notifies not to obtain foreign nationals

The Supreme Court has notified courts not to obtain statements from foreign nationals via Maldivian High Commissions abroad.

In a letter signed by Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain on 28 November, the Supreme Court noted that courts often request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain statements from foreign nationals via Maldivian High Commissions abroad.

The letter states that the Foreign Ministry, as well as the High Commissions run by the ministry, do not have the authority to summon foreign nationals to obtain their statements.

The Supreme Court said that the laws of the Maldives would be applicable in the Maldivian High Commissions abroad, which means that in this situation, the foreign national may be deprived of the full protection given to him in the law of the respective country.