The Criminal Court has taken the decision to investigate the President of the 'Deaths and Disappearances' Investigative Commission, Mr. Husnu Al Suood, regarding defamatory comments made about the court.

The court made a decision to investigate Suood in a statement released today, following allegations made by Suood in a previous press conference that there is a link between the court and local gangs.

The court has stated that the allegations made by Suood is a misuse of authority and that the 'dangerous and fearful' comments were made with the intent of benefiting from them in order to descend the nation into chaos and to enslave the freedom of the courts. The statement also said that the allegations by Suood were made with the intention of taking away the authority and power of the justice system and to create discontent towards the system within the hearts of the people.

"While the task of "Deaths and Disappearances' investigative Commission is set every clearly, we gravely condemn the actions of Husnu Suood in overreaching his jurisdiction and disregarding the authority of the courts in front of the media as well as depicting a warped picture to the Maldivian people regarding the staff and judges of the courts" the statement said.

The statement released by the Criminal Court said that, without exception, they cannot accept anyone who spreads discontent and attempts to destroy the people's confidence in the criminal justice system. They further added that this defamation was made without attempting to undergo the set procedures within the system for filing a case or addressing complaints regarding the judges to the respective authority, and that these baseless allegations are unacceptable.

The press statement released by the Criminal Court said, " Suood has claimed that justice will not be served by filing the cases at Criminal Court; even if the Presidential commission fully completes its investigations. This court believes that these allegations made by Suood, with the pretense of his own assumptions regarding complaints made against the Judges is completely baseless and irresponsible"

The Criminal Court further reiterated that they will be investigating any and every action taken, that creates discontent among the people regarding the Criminal Justice system and defames the judges of the Criminal court.