Work Is Underway To Complete Procedural Formalities Of Ex-President Nasheed’s Case Over President Yameen’s Detention: PG

Prosecutor General’s Office has revealed that work is underway to complete procedural formalities of former President Mohamed Nasheed’s case over President Yameen’s detention.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, who had been parliamentary representative for Meemu Atoll Mulak at the time, was arrested on late June, 2010 over allegations of bribery in an effort to overthrow the then President Nasheed’s administration.

When President Yameen, along with Leader of Jumhoory Party (JP) Qasim Ibrahim, was arrested and detained in Aarah, the Supreme Court ruled that it was an unlawful detention. Subsequently they were released, but President Yameen was arrested for the second time by the administration.

Two weeks later, the Maldives National Defense Forces took President Yameen into what it called “protective custody” on July 14, 2010, after violent clashes erupted outside his residence between pro-government and opposition supporters.

The unrest occurred amid a bitter deadlock between the executive and the opposition-majority parliament.

At the time, President Yameen and Qasim Ibrahim were under investigation on charges of treason, bribery and corruption. Six MPs of the then ruling party had accused the pair of offering bribes to vote in favor of impeaching the president.

According Prosecutor General’s Office, Police have requested the prosecution of Nasheed and his Minister of Defense at the time, Ameen Faisal over the current President’s detention.

Ameen Faisal is already standing a trial on terrorism charges in connection with the case. His trial’s most recent hearing was held on December 29, 2016. The trial was concluded giving him the opportunity to obtain a lawyer. Ameen is being tried behind closed doors, and has been barred from leaving Maldives. He faces a 15-year jail sentence if found guilty.

The chief of defense forces at the time of Yameen’s arrest, Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel was also summoned for questioning. However, it is unclear if Jaleel, who briefly served in Yameen’s cabinet as defense minister, is also facing charges.

While former President Nasheed is facing fresh charges, it is noteworthy that he has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, on terrorism charges over the “unlawful” arrest and detention of then Criminal Court Judge, Abdulla Mohamed, during his tenure.

Nasheed left to the UK on medical release from prison and has since sought political asylum from the UK government.

Ex-President Nasheed’s office has also hit back at Police for forwarding charges to the Prosecutor General’s Office against Nasheed declaring that the act was driven to acquire political benefits.

In a statement Nasheed’s Office accused that there are political motives behind Police seeking to prosecute Nasheed. They declared that the PG should have thrown out the case as terrorism charges cannot be laid upon the former President.

In addition, the statement read that it is not possible to press charges under the now abolished Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The statement added, the detention of political leaders and creating distress among the Cabinet during President Yameen’s regime will only lead to weaken the public.