Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to appoint Criminal Court Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel to the High Court.

Judge Shakeel was also the judge presiding over former President Abdulla Yameen;'s corruption case, where he found the former president guilty and sentenced him to 11 years in jail over money laundering, bribery and corruption.

A statement released by the commission noted that the decision was reached during the meeting on Sunday, after the advisory committee on judges appointment had advised the commission to appoint Judge Shakeel to the High Court after an interview was conducted.

Judge Shakeel was first appointed as a judge in 2003, and has obtained a Bachelor of Sharia and Masters of Sharia from Villa College. In his 19 year career as a judge, he has filled in roles at Alif Alif Ukulhas Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, Family Court and the Criminal Court.