Mohamed Shaheed, who has been nominated for appointment as a High Court Judge, has asked to withdraw his nomination.

Shaheed, in a letter to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), said he was qualified for the role, having worked as a lawyer for five years. However, he noted that some people were trying to create doubt about his eligibility, which could damage public trust in the judiciary. He said he was stepping back for the good of the country and to protect the reputation of the courts.

Shaheed also clarified that he applied on his own and that politics had no role in his decision. He previously served as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology and worked as an advocate at Honey Weldrading Company. He holds a law degree from the Islamic University of Maldives.

Although Shaheed asked to withdraw, the JSC had already planned a ceremony to appoint him. The court had also confirmed that he was eligible for the post. The JSC has not yet announced what will happen next.