Maldives police 'fearmongering' ahead of presidential election, says former chief
Hameed's comment is direct towards police’s warning earlier on Monday
Former police intelligence chief, Mohamed ‘MC’ Hameed
Former police intelligence chief, Mohamed ‘MC’ Hameed has accused the Maldives Police Service (MPS) of deliberately working to create public fear.
In a tweet sent out on Monday night, Hameed questioned on why the police ‘is in to fearmongering’.
“Its duties are to keep the peace, enforce the laws and investigate crimes, without fear, favour and bias,” he said.
Hameed’s comments are directed towards police’s warning earlier that day, saying that they have received reports that people were planning ‘dangerous acts on presidential election day to show the international community that the poll was neither free nor fair’.
“We believe the purpose of these acts are to create questions about the independence and fairness of the election, and acts that disrupt the peace and security of the country,” said police media officer Chief Superintendent Ahmed Shifan, adding that the acts are to be carried out ‘depending on election result’.
While the police did not disclose much details on the matter, it’s former chief Hameed said that he hoped that the warning ‘is not a pretext for something’.
Maldives presidential election is to be held on September 23. While incumbent President Abdulla Yameen is vying for a second term, he is up against the Joint Opposition’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
