MALE, MALDIVES – Maldives’ Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem was viciously attacked in broad daylight by unknown assailants, raising concerns amid the ongoing political crisis in the island nation. Shameem, who was appointed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) under former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, was reportedly stabbed near Noor mosque while not under his security cover. He is currently receiving treatment at ADK Hospital for his injuries, including a wrist fracture suffered in an attempt to evade the attack.
Following the incident, the MDP released a strongly-worded statement, accusing the Muizzu administration of failing to provide adequate protection to individuals carrying out their constitutional duties. This comes at a time when the Maldives has been embroiled in a political standoff, with the MDP leading efforts to initiate an impeachment motion against President Mohammed Muizzu for his alleged pro-China and anti-India stance.
Former President Solih condemned the attack on Shameem and called for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice, emphasizing that politically motivated violence has no place in a democratic society. The assault on Shameem has further intensified the already tense political atmosphere in the Maldives.
Hussain Shameem, appointed as the prosecutor general in 2019, had replaced Aishath Bisham and previously served as the deputy prosecutor general as well. He holds a Master of Laws in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice from the University of Sussex, along with a graduate degree in Shari’a and Law from Al-Azhar University in Egypt.
The stabbing of Shameem is a stark reminder of the deepening political turmoil in the Maldives, with the MDP aiming to oust President Muizzu over allegations of damaging diplomatic relations with India. The opposition has managed to gather enough signatures to initiate the impeachment motion, firmly asserting their stance against the current government’s foreign policy approach.
Videos of clashes inside the Maldivian Parliament between pro-government MPs and opposition lawmakers have sparked further outrage, adding fuel to the already tense political landscape. The impeachment move and the violent attack on Shameem underscore the heightened tensions and deep divisions within the Maldivian political sphere.
Ultimately, the assault on Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem serves as a troubling indication of the escalating political crisis in the Maldives, posing significant challenges for the nation’s democratic and judicial institutions. As the situation continues to unfold, the repercussions of this attack and the ongoing political standoff are likely to have far-reaching implications for the Maldives and its future.