Following a disciplinary investigation by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, Ahmed Hailam has been suspended for 60 days.

The investigation was launched following an alleged image posted by Judge Hailam on the Criminal Court’s Viber Group depicting President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the former President, Mohamed Nasheed along with Abdulla Luthufee and the mercenaries of the invading force of 3 November 1988 being dragged by the neck via chains.

A press statement released by the JSC moments ago said that Judge Hailam was ordered to come in for questioning regarding the investigation against him but he was objected to coming in today. And the reason provided in the letter is not believed to be acceptable according to the statement.

The letter to JSC by the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court said that any information sought by the Commission regarding the disciplinary investigation is provided in his statement issued yesterday.

After the JSC announced that he is under investigation, Judge Hailam issued a statement stating that he was unaware that President Solih and Speaker Nasheed were depicted in the image when he shared it in the group. He also sent an apology regarding the image.

The JSC statement today said that they take the statement from yesterday by Judge Hailam as his word. And so, as the disciplinary case is being investigated, the person under investigation being at work compromises the trust of the investigative body, Judge Hailam is going to be suspended by no longer than 60 days.