Maldives Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem Stabbed in Male

The shocking incident involving the stabbing of Maldives prosecutor general Hussain Shameem has sent shockwaves through the nation. The brutal assault took place in the heart of the capital city, Male, on a seemingly routine morning.

Shameem, appointed by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government, was ambushed by unidentified miscreants while en route to work. Reports indicate that a hammer was the weapon of choice, leaving the prosecutor injured in his left arm.

Shameem is currently undergoing treatment at the ADK hospital, where authorities confirm his stable condition. The police, in an official statement, clarified that the attack did not involve a sharp object, raising questions about the motive and the assailant's intentions.

As news of the incident spread, speculations arose regarding its potential connection to the ongoing political turmoil in the Maldives. The nation finds itself amidst a significant standoff between the government and the opposition, with attempts to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu. 

Days before the attack, the Maldives Parliament witnessed chaotic scenes as clashes erupted between the ruling alliance and opposition lawmakers. Viral videos depicted physical altercations, reflecting the heightened tensions within the political landscape.

In response to the political unrest, the Maldivian government sought recourse through the Supreme Court. The recent amendment to the Parliament's standing orders, allowing opposition lawmakers to impeach the President, prompted this legal action. The move follows a series of resignations by lawmakers and strategic amendments to the standing orders by the ruling MDP.

Electoral Conundrum

A peculiar aspect of the political climate involves the resignation of seven lawmakers last year, who assumed key roles in Muizzu's administration. The election commission's decision not to conduct by-elections raised eyebrows. Subsequently, the MDP amended standing orders, altering the vote count required for impeachment.

While the investigation into the attack on Shameem is underway, the question of motive looms large. Was it a consequence of the political turbulence, or does it have roots in one of the prosecutor's past criminal cases?