"It is a procedural action we decided on taking, especially in relation to major cases which cause wide public concern. In such cases, we will publicly disclose information regarding the investigation," Ihusan stated.
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan responded to Criminal Court's claims that he, along with senior officials of the Maldives Police Service, had acted in contempt of court.
He dismissed the claims, stating that when sharing information with the public, it is not the intention of the Police to 'challenge' the Courts.
The Criminal Court stated in April that Minister Ihusan and a number of senior Police Officers were being held in contempt of court in relation to statements made in a press conference they held earlier that month regarding the 119 kg drug smuggling case.
They claimed that the Police, through their press conference, had attempted to exert influence on the judges, threatened the safety and security of judges, and been in contempt of the court.
The Court named Minister Ali Ihusan, Drug Enforcement Department Head Ahmed Shakir, Chief Inspector Ahmed Waheed and Sub-Inspector of Police Mamdhooh Hassan as being in contempt of court.
After the Criminal Court acquitted some of the accused in this particular case, Police, on the instructions of the Minister, had held a press conference on 4th April where they revealed all the evidence they had gathered in their investigation into the case.
Police claimed then that their investigation had been conducted to the extent that enough evidence to convict all accused individuals had been gathered.
In yesterday's press conference held by the Home Ministry and authorities under its purview, a question was posed to Minister Ihusan regarding this matter.
ihusan responded that Police had simply publicly disclosed information regarding their investigation after the court had acquitted the accused.
The Minister asserted that the Maldives Police Service is a separate institution, adding that there are set procedures on how every institution has to be accountable to the people. He maintained that the Police would divulge information regarding every case to the public.
"It is a procedural action we decided on taking, especially in relation to major cases which cause wide public concern. In such cases, we will publicly disclose information regarding the investigation," Ihusan stated.
"Police do not, under any circumstances, share information with the public with the intention of posing a challenge to the courts. The Police Institution will at no time challenge the courts. And neither will any other State institutions."
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