Releasing those mentioned in SC ruling would have led to bloodshed, says President

President Abdulla Yameen has said that there would have been bloodshed in the country, had he chosen to implement the Supreme Court ruling.

He made the claim while speaking a ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) rally on Wednesday night, where he accused the court of attempting to create chaos in the country.

The Supreme Court’s initial ruling, signed by all five justices, ordered the immediate release of nine high profile ‘political prisoners’. After refusing to implement the order, President Yameen opted to declare a state of emergency in the country, five days after the ruling was issued. The same night, authorities proceeded to arrested former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed.

Following their arrest, amendments were brought to the ruling by the three remaining justices, annulling the order to release the nine prisoners

Noting that his supporters ‘would not have remained quiet’ if he were to implement the ruling and release the mentioned prisoners, the President stated that they ‘cannot control themselves when things reach that far’.

"As soon as they are released both sides will take to the streets. I am certain that my supporters will not stay quiet when these convicts are released. Some of them will come out. Where does this lead? Inhumanity and violence. It could even result in bloodshed. It is certain that a number of crimes will take place,” said the President.

Noting that there was an attempt to impeach him for not implementing the ruling, President Yameen said that the Supreme Court was unable to take the case as the three remaining justices had refused to do so. He said that this was the case with the attorney general as well.

“The people will not accept that the President can be removed through such a ruling. Hence, their second plan was to take people to the streets,” he added.

Responding to the criticism he has faced for sacking two Police Commissioners since the ruling of February 1, President Yameen emphasized that he had the power to do so.