Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has requested to file defamation charges against parliamentary representative for the Inguraidhoo constituency.

In a letter sent to the Commissioner of Police, the former minister said the MP had clearly accused Umar of “theft”, in a ceremony broadcast live on TV Maldives and Channel 13.

He had requested to forward the case to PG office for prosecution. Additionally, the case had been forwarded to Police under clause 19 (b) of the Anti-Defamation Act.

Clause 10 (c) of the same law states that any allegation must be backed by evidence. Umar said that no such case has been proven against him. Umar said that no company associated with him had been given contracts for the Minivan 50 celebration, adding that none of the companies associated with him had bid on such a contract during his tenure.

MP Falaah, speaking in a ceremony held to welcome new recruits to the party held Tuesday night, said that Umar had created small companies in around the time of bidding for the activities and will prove this even if Umar goes to Court over this. Falaah leveled serious accusations of corruption, adding that Umar was no better.

“Take a look at Umar Naseer, he’ll not say anything. [He] created small small companies for 10, 15 days. But he’s accusing others of corruption. If you dare, Umar take me to Court, I will prove it. He’ll not go. The very person accusing others of theft, is doing the same. This is very saddening,” he said.

The ceremony was broadcast on Channel 13 and state media.