Saturday
4th May 2024
Dhivehi Edition
HQ of Maldives Police Service. Photo: TMJ
Maldives Police Service has been fined for contempt of court after an officer left a hearing in progress without the judge's permission.
During a hearing to extend the detention period of a suspect arrested for a drug-related offense, a police officer left during the session, which was declared to be in contempt of court.
Judge Dheebanaaz Fahmy had previously noticed the officer was chewing during the hearing and had asked the officer to leave and return once he emptied his mouth. The officer complied and returned, but exited again soon after. However, the second time, he left without permission.
Maldives Police Service was then fined MVR 3,000. Any offense viewed as disobedience towards a court of law is punishable by 15 days in jail, one month of house arrest, or a maximum fine of MVR 10,000 at the discretion of the judge.
Before a session begins, court officials advise against any actions in contempt and inform all attendants that it is a punishable offense.