Police looking into claims by Zaidul over forcing confessions

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has said that it has begun looking into a case where an individual in their custody- Male’ City Council member, Zaidul Ameen- accused the institution of attempting to coerce a confession from him, against former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

MPS, in a tweet sent out on Thursday, said that they are looking into claims made by Ameen, who is in the Maumoon faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Ameen was arrested on January 13, over allegations of blackmail. His remand has been extended four times since.

While Ameen remains in police custody, he issued a press statement on Wednesday, revealing that he is yet to be informed of whom he had blackmailed, despite police attempting to take a statement from him.

He claims that he was arrested to force confessions out of him, against former President Maumoon.

Ameen said that officers had questioned him regarding the missing hard disk from the PPM headquarters, and that he was asked to give a statement saying that the PPM leader had them.

He also revealed that he had been asked to change lawyers as his defense lawyer, Mahfooz Saeed is a lawyer “who is against government policies.”

Furthermore, Ameen alleged that the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Abdulla Nawaz had asked him to stop supporting President Maumoon “as he no longer has any power.” He said that he has been assured that they will “provide him with whatever job he wants in government.”

Furthermore, claiming that Nawaz had told him they “need a statement to arrest President Maumoon,” adding that “otherwise he will remain in custody like Shumba Gong, without a trial.”

The ruling party is going through an internal turmoil, as leader Maumoon and chief advisor, incumbent President Abdulla Yameen continue to battle over party leadership.