27th January 2012, Male’, Maldivestoday.com

President Nasheed today met with Maldives military personnel at their headquarters in Bandaarakoshi, this afternoon.

This was confirmed to DhiTV,  a popular private TV station, by a military media official today. According to the official the purpose of the meeting was to convey special messages to military personnel by the President. DhiTV also reports that the military has distributed a booklet yesterday, on protecting the elected government, safeguarding the democratic institutions and serving the nation in emergency situations.

In his speech, the President reiterated his executive powers as Commander in Chief, and raised their hopes for possible promotions to higher ranks.

According to leaked audio tapes the President stated that in line with his instructions the Ministry of Finance will withhold the salaries of judges in lower courts starting from February. He has also expressed his discontent with the judiciary stating that the lower courts and magistrate courts are not legal institutions, and rulings from these courts cannot be upheld.

The lower courts established under the Judicature Act (Act no. 22/2010) include the four Superior Courts in Male’ and the island magistrate courts. Article 53 (a) of the Judicature Act  states; Superior Courts are first instance courts created under this law in the upper category of the lower courts. The Magistrate courts are created under Article 62 of the same Act.

During the demonstration staged by the MDP today in front of the Supreme Court MP Alhan (MDP) called upon the President to withhold the salaries of judges.

http://youtu.be/BpsZLYtcDF8 (leaked audio)