Ex-president Yameen reported to police for threatening judge

Police are looking into a report filed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom threatened a judge. 

A police spokesperson confirmed to Sun on Sunday afternoon that the police had received a letter from JSC requesting an investigation, and said the police were looking into the case. 

JSC’s spokesperson told Sun that threats against any judge or speech that may put judge at risk made via any platform will be reported to police in accordance with standard protocol. 

The spokesperson said that such a case against Yameen was reported to police two weeks back. 

The report appears to have been filed in response to comments Yameen made during a PPM campaign event for the WDC byelection for Vilimale’ constituency on May 10. 

At the event, Yameen questioned the legitimacy of Justice Ali Rasheed's appointment to the Supreme Court. He alleged that Ali Rasheed secured his seat by doing favors, and for ‘daring’ to convict him. 

Yameen also commented that Ali Rasheed himself was aware he had no chance of maintaining his seat on the Supreme Court bench, and suggested that prisons should be expanded to accommodate him.