Petition calls on UK to arrest, deport Maldives ex-minister charged with sexual assault
He fled the country and went to UK back in February, the same day the court released his passport on "medical referral"
Former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed
Locals are calling on United Kingdom to arrest and deport former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed back to Maldives.
Waheed was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault last November with his passport withheld through court. However, he fled the country and went to UK back in February, the same day Criminal Court released his passport on "medical referral".
He was to return to Maldives in June as medical treatment period of four months expired, however, the disgraced minister is yet to return. Instead, he claims that the treatments are not over and is asking to proceed with hearings online while he is in UK. And much to the Prosecutor General's dismay, the court has agreed to this.
However, Supreme Court has ruled that he cannot be tried at court in absentia.
The Prosecutor General’s Office charged him with seven counts of sexual offences; one count of sexual abuse, one of attempted rape, one count of indecent exposure, one count of sexual harassment, one count of attempted sexual abuse, and two counts of unlawful sexual contact.
Waheed continued his claims that all these are "false and politically motivated".
While the petition on change.org calling for the immediate arrest and deportation of Waheed from UK has garnered over 300 signatures now, it noted that the accusations against Waheed include groping, showing his genitalia and attempted “rape”. The allegations were made by ministry employees which prompted Waheed's quick dismissal.
The petition stressed that such allegations against Waheed are not new, adding that it "is highly likely Ali Waheed might choose to permanently reside in the UK and avoid these trials". It noted that the former minister was previously granted political asylum in the UK under 1952 Geneva Convention back in 2015.
