Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has decided to investigate a financial transaction between Chief Judge at Criminal Court Ahmed Hailam and former Parliamentarian Alhan Fahmy.
JSC revealed it was informed about a transaction of about USD 13,000 in a letter sent by Maldives Police Service (MPS) on 5 October. JSC said it views the transaction as a serious matter involving a judge and therefore has decided to investigate the case. The transaction was first flagged by Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on July 25, according to JSC. However, although MMA informed MPS about the transaction, it was not forwarded to JSC.
JSC has decided to request the president, the parliament and the National Integrity Commission (NIC) to investigate the reasons behind the delay in informing the judicial watch dog regarding the transaction and failure in swiftly investigating the case.
On November 5, JSC suspended Hailam until the completion of the investigation to the disciplinary case filed against him. JSC suspended him over his controversial Victory Day greeting illustration sent to Criminal Court Recreation Club Viber group which depicted President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed in chains with the perpetrators of the November 3, 1988 coup attempt.
Hailam is the presiding judge over a case of money laundering against former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.