Inspector of Police Ahmed Shiyam has been appointed spokesperson of the Maldives Police Service, replacing Superintendent of Police Arif.

Police announced the appointment today, saying Shiyam would be responsible for providing information to the media and raising public awareness on behalf of the police.

“Following this change, Inspector of Police Ahmed Shiyam will be in charge of providing information to the press and raising public awareness on behalf of Maldives Police Service,” police said in a statement.

Shiyam, who is media friendly previously worked in police media.

He was appointed police spokesperson after being reinstated to the police service following a High Court ruling in a case over his dismissal 12 years ago.

Shiyam was dismissed in May 2014 for allegedly abusing his position as commander of the North Police Division.

The Civil Court had previously ruled that Shiyam could not be ordered to be reinstated. However, the High Court overturned that decision and ordered his reinstatement, as well as payment of his salary and allowances from the date of his dismissal until his reinstatement.

Shiyam was reinstated on June 3 in accordance with the High Court judgment.

“It’s an honour,” he said after returning to work, adding that the job and police uniform were the most important parts of his life.

The state has appealed the part of the High Court judgment concerning payment of his salary and allowances to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has previously ruled that an employee can be reinstated with up to six months’ salary and allowances. If reinstatement is not ordered, compensation equivalent to one year’s salary may be awarded.

According to the High Court ruling, the state bears the burden of proving that there was a valid reason for Shiyam’s dismissal.

The Supreme Court has previously held that, in police employment cases, courts must consider whether the disciplinary board conducted an adequate investigation and whether it had sufficient evidence to support its decision.

The state has not produced evidence to establish those grounds, according to the High Court ruling.