Deliberate targeting of dissent is saddening: ex-minister Aslam

It is disappointing and saddening to see law enforcement deliberately targeting dissent and supporters of the government’s political rivals, says former Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam.

Aslam, in response to Thursday’s mass arrest of opposition supporters in Kolamaafushi island of Gaafu Alifu atoll, said that such selective isolation is unjust.

“As far as I understand, it was only supporters of the coalition that were arrested. This matter of course needs to be looked into, but if its selective prosecution that is going on, then that is unjust”, Aslam said.

The former minister, who has been a longstanding supporter of the Maldivian Democratic Party, said that if such an act was intended to foster support, then it is misguided and would only lead to lessening of support for the government.

18 individuals were arrested on the island after they reportedly got into an altercation with local supporters of the ruling party.

These individuals are all members of the Maldivian Democratic Party who were drawing up banners and hanging flags ahead of presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s campaign visit to the island.

RaajjeMV understands that supporters of the ruling party had obstructed their efforts and begun tearing down the flags that were hung up and when the quarrel escalated, they told the opposition supporters that they would be ‘expelled from the island’.

The Maldives Police Service announced on Thursday evening, at a press conference that was cut short without adequate opportunity for journalists to pose questions, that they have asked Solih to refrain from travelling to the island, citing security concerns.