Ex-Presidents call to release MPs from detention

Former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed have called on authorities to release parliamentarians for Thulusdhoo and Maduvvari constituencies, Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim and Mohamed Ameeth.

Both were arrested on Monday afternoon, following Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s takeover of the parliament.

Noting that they had been arrested “unlawfully,” former President Maumoon, via twitter, called on authorities to free both members of parliament.

Also via twitter, former President Nasheed, who has been sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment and is living in exile in the United Kingdom, called on the Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam to “end his coup” and release the two MPs from detention.

Spokesperson at the Maldives Police Service (MPS) Ahmed Shifan said that MPs Waheed and Ameeth were arrested “as they had entered the parliament illegally as they are no longer parliamentarians”.

Parliament has been on lockdown since early Monday morning, with opposition members attempting to go inside the premises. Those who were able to enter had been removed by force by police officers, who said that MNDF has sought their assistance in removing some individuals that were no longer parliament members.

A recent Supreme Court ruling states that parliamentarians who leave their party, joins another or is expelled from their party, will lose their seats in parliament.

Following the ruling, the Election Commission removed MPs Waheed and Ameeth, as well as Dhihdhoo constituency MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed and Villngilli constituency MP Saud Hussain.