Decision to pursue new charges against Nasheed is politically motivated: MDP
In relation to the arrest and detention of President Yameen, then MP, in 2010
MDP calls on the PG to ignore case forwarded by police, seeking new terrorism charges against Nasheed
Following reports that its leader, and former President Mohamed Nasheed is facing fresh terrorism charges, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) called it “a political move by the state.”
It was reported on Tuesday, that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) had forwarded a case against the former President, seeking new terrorism charges, over the arrest and subsequent detention of Presidet Abdulla Yameen, then MP, during his tenure as president in 2010.
Noting that it is obvious that this is a politically motivated move, MDP in a statement issued on Wednesday, called on the Prosecutor General’s Office to “send it back.”
“Former President Nasheed has not been involved in a terror act, charging him with terrorism will be unlawful,” said MDP in its statement.
Furthermore, MDP’s statement noted that since President Yameen assumed office, “politically motivated charges have been increasing.”
President Yameen was arrested on June 14, 2010, over accusations that he had been bribing other lawmakers in an attempt to overthrow Nasheed’s government. After his arrest order was nullified by the Supreme Court and released, he was arrested again, by the military, and taken to Aarah. He was released on July 23.
Officials from Nasheed’s administration maintain that Yameen was taken to Aarah “as a security precaution” due to the escalated situation in Male’ City, as decided by the National Security Council. It noted that Aarah “has never been a place where criminals are held in custody.”
Nasheed was convicted on a separate terrorism charge in March 2015, and sentenced to 13 years in jail. However, after being granted medical leave, Nasheed travelled to the United Kingdom in January 2016, and has sought political asylum there.
In addition, Defence Minister during Nasheed administration, Ameen Faisal has been charged with terrorism, over Yameen’s arrest. He was charged with terrorism on October 20.
According to the charge levied against Faisal- under Article 2(b) and Article 6(b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act- the military had, as a pretense to provide him security, taken Yameen into custody against his will.
