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Police raises serious allegations against Judge Didi

Maldives Police Service has raised serious allegations against Supreme Court Judge Abdulla Didi.

In a letter sent to Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Maldives Police Service noted Judge Abdulla Didi allegedly received funds from Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) on several occasions. Following the accusations, proceedings of the investigation launched against Didi over a disciplinary issue was held openly by JSC, upon his request.

This was the first time such a proceeding was held publicly opened in the recent history of Maldives. Normally, such investigations were held closed to the public and the decisions of the investigations are not publicised.

In the letter sent to JSC, the police service said during investigations into the MMPRC corruption scandal, it has been revealed several judges received funds in a bid to influence rulings, Abdulla Didi was one of the judges who received bribes.

Citing forensic evidence, the police revealed a phone conversations between Didi and a person who is suspected of corruption were investigated. Judge Didi was also questioned over the text messages exchanged between him and the unnamed witness about an appointment made to the Maldivian Embassy in Malaysia.

Moreover, further questions were raised by the committee investigating Judge Didi over the release of two suspects held in custody related to the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan. The committee claimed the release was highly influenced.

Answering the questions, Didi reiterated he has always followed the laws and worked with integrity, adding he had never accepted a bribe. Didi raised questions over the legitimacy of the letter or the papers given to the lawyer team while the police service has previously assured him there are no investigations conducted against him.

The hearing was concluded after granting a five-day period to Didi to answer the allegations.