The Government on Saturday has ordered Villa Group to remove the massive poster hung from the Villa House building calling for the Group’s Chairman Qasim Ibrahim’s release.

The building is wholly owned by Qasim and the poster was hung by the Group’s staff, following the Criminal Court’s decision to remand him for 15 days.

It has been reported that the removal was ordered by a Housing Ministry official via a phone call. Villa Group says that they had not been notified of the decision.

JP Secretary General Ahmed Sameer reported that he was aware that Police was attempting to remove that poster.

Housing Ministry regulations state that all banners, poster and ads can be placed in public areas by a permit from the Housing Ministry. However, opposition figures state that the ruling Party backed posters can be placed in any location in Male’, while the same is denied for the opposition. They also note that the Government had deliberately restricted opposition parties from holding their activities.