The Government of Maldives today has announced that the verdict issued by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on former Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim was not an acceptable one.
The statement was released in a press conference held today in President’s Office, by Attorney General Mohamed Anil and Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed Asim. Stressing that the UN Group’s decision on 26th of this month, was a recommendation the statement said the Government does not accept it.
The statement said that Nazim was charged with a guilty verdict on March 26,2015 and jailed for 11 years for possession of illegal weapons. The statement added that Nazim’s case investigation and trial were carried out under the laws of the state, which had been corroborated by the Courts. Therefore, the statement said, the Government called on all parties to respect the decision made by the Courts.
The Government also stated that Naizm was detained during the investigative and trial stages as per the Constitution and laws of the country. The statement noted that Nazim had not lodged a case in any Court, claiming that he was jailed arbitrarily. The Government called on Nazim to exercise his rights and file such a case, if he was convinced that he was jailed arbitrarily. The statement called on the UN Group to encourage Nazim to exercise that right as well.
The statement added that Nazim was given adequate time to prepare his defense, adding that Naizm’s defense witnesses were accepted by the Courts as well.
Government noted that Nazim was not treated as a political opponent, adding that at the time of his arrest Nazim was serving as Defense Minister. Stating that his criticism of the Government began after an independent investigation was launched on the case, the statement said it was difficult to note any arbitrariness to the process.
The Government added that it was disappointing to note that WGAD had taken public commentaries on the case as human rights experts. The statement went on to add that groups such as WGAD must be impartial and independent.
The WGAD ruling states that Nazim was clearly framed, evident from the way there was no justifiable link between the former Defense Minister and the weapons. The ruling also states that Nazim was detained without cause and had been deprived of his rights granted under Civil and Political Liberties decree and Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
The 17-page report also noted that Nazim’s defense had not been privy to 26 pieces of evidence and was not given enough time to prepare for the defense. The report also noted that while Nazim had presented 50 witnesses, only three were summoned to Court.
