MALE, Maldives – Maldives’ top prosecutor, Hussain Shameem, was brutally stabbed in broad daylight by unknown assailants amid the country’s ongoing political crisis, local media reports revealed. Shameem, who was appointed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in 2019, was attacked near Noor mosque while not near his security cover, according to police reports.
Following the incident, MDP released a statement accusing the Muizzu administration of failing to provide adequate protection to the people and those carrying out their constitutional duties. Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also condemned the attack, calling for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice.
Hussain Shameem, appointed as the prosecutor general in 2019, holds a Master of Laws in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice from the University of Sussex, as well as a graduate degree in Shari’a and Law from the Al-Azhar University in Egypt.
The stabbing comes at a time when the Maldives has been embroiled in political turmoil, with MDP leading the charge in bringing an impeachment motion against President Mohammed Muizzu for his alleged anti-India and pro-China stance. The opposition party, in partnership with another opposition party, The Democrats, has gathered enough signatures to initiate the impeachment motion.
MDP, in control of the parliament, has been at odds with the ruling combine – Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and President Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC). The impeachment move followed viral videos of clashes inside the Maldivian Parliament between pro-government MPs and opposition lawmakers.
The attack on Shameem has raised concerns about the safety of officials and intensified the political crisis in the Maldives, further complicating the already fragile situation. The government is facing mounting pressure to address the growing violence and ensure the safety of those carrying out their duties in the country.