The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has denied allegations it is framing former defence minister Colonel (retired) Mohamed Nazim, who faces charges of plotting to overthrow the government.
In response to the claims made by Nazim’s legal team that dangerous weapons were planted in his home, police stated that “nothing was done in violation of procedures, regulations and laws in the investigation of the case”.
“Saying that police brought items into Nazim’s apartment” is untrue, read the police statement, describing such accusations as “baseless” and as “efforts to accuse the police in order to deceive the public to achieve particular goals”.
Nazim’s legal team – which alleges officers spent ten minutes unsupervised in his room during the raid – has appealed against the Criminal Court’s decision.
Meanwhile, former Police Commissioner and Jumhooree Party MP Abdulla Riyaz has expressed concern over what he described as “politicisation of the police”.
In a joint rally by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the JP last night Riyaz suggested: “We are now witnessing the realization of political agendas through the police force.”
“When I was there, the institution was free from political influence,” he added.
Riyaz was appointed the Commissioner of Police immediately after the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed on February 7, 2012, following a mutiny by sections of the security forces.
He was replaced after President Abdulla Yameen assumed presidency in November 2013, joining the then pro-government Jumhooree Party soon after and winning the Kinbidhoo constituency seat in the 2014 Majlis polls.
While the police received extensive criticism from opposition groups for their role in the transfer of power, and the brutal suppression of protesters the following day, Riyaz himself was investigated by the Police Integrity Commission for appearing to campaign against Nasheed’s 2013 presidential bid.
Riyaz re-posted a letter he claimed to have been sent, urging the police to “say no” to Nasheed on election day, just as they had on February 7.
The MP announced he would be joining Nazim’s legal team shortly after his arrest earlier this week, as did Adhaalath Party Spokesman Sheikh Ali Zahir.
Riyaz was not responding to calls at the time of publication.
Foul play
Nazim’s lawyer Maumoon Hameed told Minivan News today that police officials had informed the Criminal Court under oath that the investigation had been completed and sent to the PG’s Office.
Yesterday’s police statement, however, noted that investigations into his case – including the “forensic process” – had not been concluded.
“Virdhan from Maldives Police Services who was under oath, stated in the remand hearing that although some forensic work is not fully complete, the investigation of the case has been completed,” explained Hameed.
Therefore, he said that the legal team has today asked the Criminal Court to provide them with transcripts or audio recording of the remand hearing.
He also stated that they have submitted a defamation case against the Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed for telling the press on January 29 that an improvised explosive device was found in Nazim’s home.
Hameed argued that the explosive device had not been found during the initial search, and was not listed in a record of items found, explaining that police only announced its discovery days later after an analysis conducted without independent oversight.
The legal team has also raised questions over why Nazim was arrested after more than 20 days had passed since the police raid on his residence.
He was dismissed as the defence minister two days after the January 18 raid, which police have maintained was ordered without knowing the identity of the residents.
Related to this story
Police accuse Nazim of plotting coup, planning to harm senior government officials
Police raid Defence Minister Nazim’s home in early hours
Former Defence Minister Nazim remanded for 15 days
Former Defence Minister arrested on illegal weapons charge
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Another twist to this soap drama, of Maldivian Politics!
Dirty MFs!
of course, the police didn't do anything wrong.
even if they did how the hell is someone going to prove it?
the police will never be found guilty of anything, like the chopping down of the arec trees in male, it was as if it was done by people who vanished into thin air after committing the crime.
when people like the former defense minister and chief of police is pointing their finger at the police and accusing them of planting evidence to frame the former defense minister, there is some amount of truth to it.
but here we see the police denying all that they are being accused off. and there is no way to prove it.
so now we all see how dangerous it is to have a corrupt police force. even the people at the top is beginning to taste the venom of corruption.
not happy to see any man being framed for something that that person didn't do.
but hell this is the Maldives. where the corrupt rule. and there is not a god damn thing we can do about it.
Police corruption is a serious issue in such a small community.
Recently there are all sorts of worrying criminal reports against police including drugs and other crimes.
What if some powerful person / foreign party corrupts the police with millions of dollars their own advantage? That could be the end of Maldives.
Funny how the "grass always look greener" on the other side. When Mr Riyaz joined with rampaging police to overthrow the government at the time, wasn't that politicisation? Or was that something else?
What goes around comes around. We have some very unlikely bed-fellows in politics in this country! Ultimately none of these characters are interested in the welfare of the country. None!
I remember one plainclothes thug trying to plant drugs in a safehouse I controlled to justify "a raid and burglarize" on the place.
Last I heard of him, a kimboo caught him while he was trying to swim and he was never seen again.