PGO seeks warrant to arrest MP Ahmed Eesa over reports of domestic violence

The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has confirmed that they are seeking a warrant for the arrest of member of parliament for the Kendhikulhudhoo constituency Ahmed Eesa following a statement by his former spouse Asra Naseem detailing domestic violence against her and their one-year-old son.

MP for Kendhikulhudhoo constituency Ahmed Eesa was among four MPs from main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) named in MMPRC corruption suspects list, and has since resigned from his position as Chairperson of the Parliament Committee on Social Affairs after police received reports of MP Eesa having attacking his former spouse Asra Naseem and their son early on Thursday. The Committee on Social Affairs had been unable to forcibly remove MP Eesa from his position as Chairperson at the committee due to the absence of quorum.

A neighbor of MP Easa's former spouse Asra Naseem had reported domestic violence against Asra and her one-year-old son by Eesa at 1:30am on Wednesday. Asra Naseem is the younger sister of Vice President Faisal Naseem, and had provided her statement to Police Family and Child Protection Department on Wednesday.

The reported violence took place on Tuesday night at MP Easa's home, where he became violent amid a dispute and attacked Asra. It has been reported that MP Eesa had threatened to throw their one-year-old son out of the balcony of their home. Asra received treatment for her injuries at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, and a neighbor who witnessed the instance of domestic violence reported the incident to Police late at 1:30am on Wednesday.

Asra had taken to social media after supplying her statement to police, and said that she had never thought she would have to experience this, as the past day had been one where she and her young son had been faced with difficult emotions. She said that her greatest regret was the fear that her son had been forced to face when MP Eesa had resorted to violence against them both.

When asked about the news which shocked the nation overnight, Superintendent of Police Mohamed Basheer stated in press conference on Thursday that Police are working with the Prosecutor General's Office in investigating MP Ahmed Eesa over reports of domestic violence, but authorities have declined to reveal further details in this case. Police revealed that they are seeking counsel from the PGO on how best to proceed in this case.

The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act describes the process of arresting incumbent parliamentarians as only possible if they are caught red-handed from the scene of the crime, or through a warrant issued by a superior court or higher. Only the Prosecutor General's Office can file for such a warrant under the law, with the Act also requiring that the Speaker of Parliament be informed in writing of the arrest without delay.

Spokesperson for main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and MP for North-Maafannu constituency Imthiyaz Fahmy confirmed on Thursday evening that MP Ahmed Eesa has been removed from the party's congress, and absolved from duties as chairperson for committees inside the party and the People's Majlis pending the status of the criminal investigation against him. MDP also released a statement expressing concerns that MP Ahmed Eesa was being investigated for domestic violence and condemned his actions, calling for a swift and just investigation into the matter by relevant authorities.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Abdulla has asked the Chairperson of the Parliament Committee on Human Rights and Gender MP Jeehan Mahmood to pay close attention to how the investigation against MP Eesa progresses as it is a very sensitive and high-profile case.