Appeal hearings over PPM conflict ends, Maumoon pleads for fairness

Hearings at High Court in the appeal of Civil Court ruling ordering President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to take over running of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) were concluded this Saturday, October 22, with only the verdict remaining.

The appeal over Civil Court ruling was made by general PPM member Abbas Wafir, Fen Fiyaz Villa, Hulhudhoo, Addu City.

Daughter of Leader of PPM, former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – who has involved himself in the court proceeding due to personal stake in the judgement – Dhunya Maumoon spoke during the hearing this Saturday morning.

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dhunya said that her father wished for the court to consider the case he made and make a fair judgement.

“Given that in accordance with the Constitution, the rule of law should apply equally over everyone and the protection of law it is that right of every individual, President Maumoon appeals for fairness and justice in making a decision,” said Dhunya.

Maumoon’s lawyer, Ahmed Muizzu said that PPM council meetings were being held in accordance with the party’s Constitutions. And that a complaint over lack of council meetings had been made only once.

In answer to a question by court during the last hearing, Muizzu said that Abdul Raheem Abdulla was not the Deputy Leader of PPM.

He said that Abdul Raheem was appointed to the council by Maumoon, and that the decision of Maumoon to dismiss his from the council meant Abdul Raheem was no longer the Deputy Leader either.

Lawyer Husnu Suood, who is also part of Maumoon’s legal team, alleged that Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid and Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam – who filed the original lawsuit in Civil Court – was behind the file for appeal, which was made by Wafir, unbeknownst to Maumoon.

Chief Judge Abdulla Didi said that he wasn’t aware Wafir was among those who filed the lawsuit in Civil Court, and ordered that Husnu Suood make no such claims in court.

Lawyer Abdulla Muizzu, who is representing appellees MP Shahid and MP Shiyam said that the purpose of the appeal must be to probe into possible violation of anyone’s right and protection of rights.

He said that Civil Court ruling ordering President Yameen to take over PPM didn’t step on anyone’s right. Both the appellees and PPM asked that High Court uphold the Civil Court ruling.