The Criminal Court has canceled the preliminary hearing against Suood that was to be held today.

The Criminal Court had previously arranged a hearing concerning allegations made by the Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Disappearances and Deaths, Husnu Al Suood. Suood had claimed that local gangs were influencing the Criminal Court of Maldives, resulting in the Criminal Court investigating said charges. The court had assembled a panel of judges after questioning Suood, with a pending preliminary hearing that was set to be held today at 2:00 pm.

It was reported that the hearing was canceled after Suood arrived at the court for the hearing.

As the Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Disappearances and Deaths, Suood has claimed that justice will not be served by filing the cases at Criminal Court following a thorough investigation by the Commission.

The Criminal Court then took the decision to investigate Suood for charges of defamation against the judiciary and released a statement. The Court claimed that Suood has made false allegations against the judges, administration and staff of the court. The court also reiterated in the statement that the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) would treat the case as a case of defamation and slander. It was then announced by the court that a panel of judges will be assembled to investigate Suood.