Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced the opportunity to submit applications is now open for the two vacant positions on the bench of the Criminal Court of the Maldives.
JSC had initially opened application for one slot on the bench. However, the commission has revised the announcement and opened application for two slots as there are currently two vacancies on the judges’ bench.
As per the announcement, applicants must be at least 25 years of age and must have completed at least a bachelors' degree in law or Islamic Shariah. They must also have a minimum experience of two years working as an attorney or judge. Interested applicants have been instructed to submit their applications by August 16.
Application for the Criminal Court was opened following the resignation of Judge Hassan Najeeb on July 6 amid a dismissal motion launched against him by JSC. The commission launched a dismissal motion against Najeeb following a disciplinary investigation with regards to accusations of active involvement in political activities and issuing unlawful orders.
JSC is also seeking a new judge for the High Court of the Maldives, following the resignation of Judge Hassan Ali on July 22 amid an investigation by JSC. He was implicated in the investigation into the kidnapping and murder of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, for attempting to forge a travel documentation that would depict that Rilwan died abroad.
JSC requested a written response from Hassan Ali in regards to the accusations against him. However, he resigned without responding to the accusations.