The Maldives Parliament has formally removed Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir from office, following a vote on Wednesday that found both guilty of judicial misconduct.

In separate votes, 68 members of Parliament voted in favour of dismissing each judge — surpassing the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority of lawmakers present. The move follows an investigation and recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which concluded that both justices had violated judicial ethics and the Constitution by interfering in an ongoing criminal case.

The misconduct relates to alleged pressure exerted by the justices on Judge Ibrahim Zihunee of the Criminal Court to release Dr. Azmiralda’s husband, Dr. Ismail Latheef, from custody. Dr. Latheef had been arrested during a raid on a massage parlour in Malé City.

The Judiciary Committee, which reviewed the case before presenting it to Parliament, confirmed that no procedural lapses occurred during the dismissal process. However, both justices criticised their removal, claiming they were denied the opportunity to defend themselves before the committee. Their request to appear and respond to the allegations was rejected.

In separate statements, both justices described the process as politically motivated and said their removal undermines judicial independence.

Under the Maldivian Constitution, a judge may only be removed if the JSC finds them guilty of misconduct or incompetence, and Parliament approves the removal by a two-thirds majority — criteria that were met in Wednesday’s vote.