Prosecutor General Ahmed Muizz has said there will be no decision on prosecuting former President Mohamed Nasheed until police review “aspects” of criminal charges forwarded against the one-time head of state.
Muiz told Minivan News today that after reviewing charges sent to his office on April 15, he had requested police “look into aspects” of the case they forwarded over certain concerns that had been “noted” at the time. Muiz was unable to specify the nature of the concerns sent to police regarding the charges facing Nasheed.
The former president potentially faces prosecution over charges relating to both the alleged discovery by police of alcohol at his former residence following his “resignation” from office and the controversial detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed during his administration.
Muiz himself added that despite expecting the PG’s Office to make a decision on whether to prosecute Nasheed by the end of last month, he was now waiting on the outcome of a police review. He added that the findings of an investigation by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) would also be required before making a decision on prosecution.
HRCM investigation
The HRCM, which in March summoned Nasheed for questioning over his role in detaining Judge Abdulla, said it was presently finalising its own investigation into the incident.
HRCM spokesperson Jeehan Mahmoud told Minivan News today that its investigation into the judge’s detention had now been closed, though the findings were yet to be overlooked at a sitting of five senior commissioners representing the body.
“Once we have finalised the report, we will then look to send it to relevant authorities,” Jeehan said.
HRCM said in March that, along with its investigation into the detention of Judge Abdulla, Nasheed would also be directly involved and questioned in two additional cases. These cases were said to relate to alleged human rights abuses carried against Nasheed himself before and during February’s controversial transfer of power that saw him resign – a decision he later claimed was taken under “duress”.
Speaking last month after police forwarded the charges against Nasheed to the PG’s Office, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Imthiyaz Fahmy claimed that the move was “pure injustice”, representing the “broken” state of the national criminal justice system.
Fahmy contended it was ironic that Nasheed, who had worked to foster a reputation for championing human rights in the country, could now potentially face prosecution by a judiciary that he himself alleged to be guilty of several of counts of corruption.
“This is injustice. Justice is not ensured simply by a judge’s verdict on an issue, it has to be publicly accepted that it is justice,” he argued.
Commonwealth role
Earlier this week, Attorney General (AG) Azima Shakoor denied the government had come under pressure from the Commonwealth to drop all criminal charges against Nasheed.
The AG added that the government were making no further comments until discussions being held with Commonwealth Special Envoy Sir Donald McKinnon were concluded.
Muiz said that he had not received any communications from the Commonwealth regarding the charges against Nasheed.
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Caption: Nasheed under the Pink PPM umbrella.
Commonwealth normally pushes member states to adhere to the Constitution of the country.BUT now commonwealth pleading with Maldives Government to overlook the Constitution and 'save' UK PM Cameron's friend, former Dictator of Maldives Nasheed by not charging him for kidnapping Senior Judge,Abdulla. PG Muizz has indicated he will comply with UK request.
scumbag bagees, come on, show your guts, dare to prosecute our real and only president ? You will not even have the chance to put your dirty traitors hands on him. Then you will not have to wait for the gallows any longer, we will get you in your offices and bring you on the roads to face the people !
Nasheed will eventually be prosecuted.
The noose will be tightened slowly.
He knows this and thats why he must try to bring as many people as he can to shout on the streets. Sadly the people on the street are too dumb to understand this.
Mr PG, what about prosecuting the Police for their brutality?
The corrupt regime and unlawful judges are back ruining the country and helping themselves. Nasheed was trying to clean up the system. The constitution is asrotten as Gayoom.
The desire of supporters of the current government in handing a verdict, at all costs to Prez. Nasheed is evident in all these efforts. He has already been the victim of Maumoon as a result of "peanut" case involving a piece of paper at Velaanaage.
Nasheeds's opponents don't want to see him run in the next presidential election.
Yes Nasheed was trying to clean the country but he was trying to clean the trainers like the people behind 3rd Nov.. This is because he want to clean his family background and thier involvement.
Guys do you know the Anni grandfather involvement with our first President Ameedn Didi death ?
I doubt that many people will remember this now . Look at the history and Anni grand father was behind the death of Amin Didi too.
Anni was bone dictator and a traitor and he was not trying to bring peace and harmony but he always wanted to sell the country and grab the money and then back to UK where he spent most of his life.
Mohamed Ameen was footballed by a group of people (called themselves as public)in Male. They were never tried in the Courts of Law for their actions. Since then Maldivians generally beleive that they can oust any president or government and getaway with it. So far they have been right. I strongly urge all Maldivians to respect their culture and norms and follow the same procedures in the future oustings of presidents and governments. At lease its far more exciting heh!!!