Author: Ahmed Nazeer

Police conclude investigation into death of Lance Corporal Haleem

Police have concluded the investigation into the death of police Lance Corporal Adam Haleem, who was murdered early on Monday morning on the island of Kaashidhoo in Kaafu Atoll.

In a statement issued last Thursday, police said Haleem’s alleged assailant Mohamed Samah had confessed to attacking Haleem with a knife, and had told the police how the incident occurred.

The statement said that Haleem was attacked that night while he was on his way to the Kaashidhoo Police Station to report to duty.

While he was on the way to the police station he saw Mohamed Samah on the road, who was supposed to be on house arrest. Haleem followed Samah to his house and asked Samah to get himself ready and to come with him to the police station.

Samah refused to go to the police station and became angry. He entered his house and took an eight inch knife from the kitchen, which he used to stab Haleem in the left side of his chest, according to the statement.

Before Haleem was attacked, he called the police station and had informed officers on duty about Samah, and asked to attend the scene. However by the time the other police officers attended the area Samah had stabbed Haleem and his body was lying on the ground.

Police officers took Haleem to Kaashidhoo Health Centre, but Haleem failed to survive the deep wound in his chest and died at 12:10am that night.

The statement furthermore stated that Samah was arrested the next day and was suspected of being under the influence of illegal drugs. The test results showed his body contained THC (cannabis) and AMP (amphetamines), police said.

Police said that the investigation did not show that there was the involvement of any other person in the case.

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Suspects in murder of alleged sorcerer deny charges

Two people suspected of murdering 76 year-old alleged sorcerer Ali Hassan, of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll, have denied murder charges in court today.

Local newspaper ‘Haveeru’ reported that the hearing for Fauzan Mohamed and Ibrahim Majidh was held today in the Criminal Court.

The lawyer from the Prosecutor General’s Office told the court that Fauzan and Ibrahim, along with a group of other people, had planned to kill Ali Hassan and attacked him around 7:00pm on the evening of January 8, the paper reported.

When the judge queried both individually, Fauzan told the judge that he denied the charges and said he wished to appoint a lawyer, and also requested the court to conclude the case soon. Ibrahim also denied the charges.

Ibrahim Waseem, the step-grandson of Ali Hassan, has previously confessed to being an accessory to murder.

Kudahuvadhoo resident Ibrahim Waseem contradicted a previous statement provided to authorities by claiming today that he had sought revenge against Ali Hassan – the defendant’s step-grandfather.  Waseem claimed he has been seeking revenge after hearing allegations that Hassan was responsible for the murder of his mother using sorcery.

In March, two minors were arrested and charged with the murder of Ali Hassan, pleaded guilty to accessory in court.

The two 16 year-olds were charged with spying on Hassan before the murder, and assisting the assailants to hide the weapons they used to murder Hassan.

Another 17 year old boy was also summoned to court in connection with the case, and charged for involvement in murdering Hassan.

He requested the court that he wished to continue the trial with a lawyer, which was granted.

The step-grandson of Hassan was also summoned to the Criminal Court for his involvement in the case.

He told the court that Hassan was murdered because he was informed that Hassan had killed the mother of Fauzan Mohamed

The victim himself had previously been accused by the islanders of using sorcery on a 37 year-old woman, who was reported missing at 2:00am on December 4, 2011, and whose body was found floating in Kudahuvadhoo lagoon later that morning.

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Bodyguards did not see Nasheed pepper-sprayed: police

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s bodyguards told an inquiry that they did not see police pepper spraying Nasheed’s face, police have said.

Police questioned the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Special Protection Group (SPG) bodyguards assigned to Nasheed, after the media publicised video footage of a police officer pepper spraying Nasheed’s face while he was with a group of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters at a protest.

In a statement issued on Thursday, police said that Nasheed’s bodyguards said that while they were aware pepper spray was being used in the area, they could not identity the officer using it.

Police said officers that working that night to control the protest were also questioned, and said they had used pepper spray after protesters moved inside the cordoned area and refused to move back after police advised the protesters to do so.

Police said they did not spray at any individual, and that the pepper spray was targeted at the crowed, the police statement said.

In an earlier statement police strongly denied the MDP allegations of directly pepper spraying people at close range, and urged the party to “publish statements responsibly”.

In the statement, police admitted using the spray to control the crowd during their recovery of barricades removed by the demonstrators, but denied intentionally targeting the former President.

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has recently said they will investigate the issue, although no one had formally filed the case in the commission.

The MDP’s Parliamentary group leader, MP Ibrahim Mohamed ‘Ibu’ Solih, has said that the party would submit the issue to parliament’s National Security Committee.

Last week the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern over violent protests and use of “excessive force” against demonstrators.

At a press briefing last TuesdayTuesday, Spokesperson for High Commissioner Navi Pillay, Rupert Colville, observed that “instances of apparent brutality have been captured on camera. These include the seemingly deliberate and uncalled-for use of some kind of spray on former President [Mohamed] Nasheed, and the driving of police vehicles at high speed into crowds of protesters.”

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Finance Ministry orders all institutions to pay back former govt’s civil servant salary cuts

The Finance Ministry has today issued a circular informing all institutions to pay the amount cut from civil servants from January 2010 to December 2012 by the former government, staring from July onwards.

The circular said the money should be paid monthly and not in a lump sum, and advised all institutions to pay the amount from the annual budget for wages. If the money in budget was not enough, the finance ministry advised the institution to cut the money from the budget allocated for other expenses.

The circular was signed by the Ministry’s Financial Controller, Mohamed Ahmed.

The reduction in civil servant pay was introduced by the previous government in an attempt to manage a financial crisis back in 2009. The initial deduction, agreed between the Finance ministry and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), was only due to last for three months until the government’s income had risen above Rf7billion (US$544 million).

However, after the Finance Ministry refused to restore wages to the previous level, the CSC took the case to the courts.

The Civil Court ruled that the Finance Ministry did not have the authority to reduce the salaries, a cut of up to 20 percent in some cases. The CSC at the time interpreted this as a decision to restore the deducted salaries, a decision upheld by the High Court in May of last year.

In April this year the Civil Service Commission said the wage repayments, amounting to Rf443.7 million (US$28.8 million), will be disbursed in monthly installments over 12 months from July 1 this year. This money has not been accounted for in this year’s state budget, the deficit of which has already drawn concern from the International Monetary Fund.

In January 2010 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that international funding to the Maldives would be threatened if civil servant salaries are restored to former levels.

“One of the primary drivers of the large fiscal deficit has been government spending on public wages, which has more than doubled between 2007 and 2009, and is now one of the highest in the world relative to the size of the economy,” Rodrigo Cubero, IMF mission chief for the Maldives said at the time.

“Measures that would substantially raise the budget deficit, such as a reversal of previously announced wage adjustments, would also put the program off track, jeopardising prospects for multilateral and bilateral international financing,” he warned.

The Maldives is currently facing a foreign currency shortage, plummeting investor confidence, spiraling expenditure, a drop off in foreign aid and a crippling budget deficit of 27 percent.

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Hulhumale’ Court rejects case against former President Nasheed

Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court rejected a case forwarded by the Prosecutor General against former President Mohamed Nasheed and three Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers for their alleged role in detaining Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

Hulhumale’ Court Magistrate Moosa Naseem told Minivan News that the case was sent back to the Prosecutor General’s Office after the court stated it did not have the jurisdiction to deal with such cases under the Judicature Act.

‘’We studied the case and we found that we do not have the jurisdiction to deal with the case according to article 66 of the Judicature Act,’’ Naseem said.

Naseem today told local media that the Hulhumale’-based court can only accept the case after the Chief Justice issues a decree in agreement with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Judicial Council as stated in the article 66[b] of the Judicature Act.

Article 66[b] of the Judicature Act states that “In accordance with Section (a) of this Article, if additions or omission to the jurisdictions stipulated in schedule 5 of this Act has to be carried out, the modification has to be done in agreement with the Judicial Service Commission and the Judicial Council and by a decree issued by the Chief Justice.’’

Deputy Prosecutor General Husaain Shameem said he was presently on leave and was not aware of the exact details of the matter when contacted by Minivan News. Prosecutor General Muiz was also not responding to calls by Minivan News at the time of press.

Earlier, Muiz has said that the case was sent to Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court because it related to the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court.  He contended therefore that the case cannot be filed at the same court overseen by the judge owing to a conflict of interest.

Former President Nasheed has said that he is “prepared” to justify the reasons for the arrest of Judge Abdulla, and said he was ready to appear in court and prove his actions were valid.

Nasheed also dismissed accusations of the High Court, the Supreme Court and the prosecutor general that he had ordered the military to arrest Judge Abdulla unlawfully.

“I did nothing unlawful during my tenure,” he challenged.

He also called on the population to be present at his trial and witness what happened in the court, alleging that the whole case was politically motivated and that his opponents were seeking to gain an unfair upper hand from the “political scandal”.

The Chief Judge was detained by the military, after he had opened the court outside normal hours to order the immediate release of former Justice Minister and current Home Minister and deputy leader of the Dhivehi Quamee Party (DQP), Dr Mohamed Jameel.

In late 2011, Judge Abdulla was himself under investigation by the JSC, the country’s judicial watchdog, for allegedly politically biased comments made to private broadcaster DhiTV. The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) was due to release a report into Judge Abdulla’s ethical misconduct, however the judge approached the Civil Court and successfully filed an injunction against his further investigation by the judicial watchdog.

Judge Abdulla’s arrest sparked three weeks of anti-government protests in January, leading the Nasheed administration to appeal for international assistance from the Commonwealth and UN to reform the judiciary.

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MDP Women’s Wing protest against alleged sexual harassment, call for Fahmy’s resignation

The Women’s Wing of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) gathered outside the government Velaanaage building yesterday in protest at alleged workplace sexual harassment faced by females.

The protest was held after Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chair Mohamed Fahmy Hassan was last week requested to stand down from the position after an Independent Institutions Oversight Committee vote on accusations he harassed a female member of staff at the commission.

Fahmy has continued to refute the allegations, which he claims are “politically motivated”.

The MDP stated that the protest was held to stand against sexual harassment faced by Maldivian women at the workplace.  The group also demanded the resignation of Fahmy within the 14 day time period requested by the parliament Independent Committee.  The 14 days will be up next Wednesday (July 25).

Around two dozen protesters gathered outside Velaanaage at about 2:00pm yesterday, with the demonstration reportedly ending peacefully two hours later.

Protesters were seen holding banners calling on the immediate resignation of CSC Chair Fahmy and other banners mostly expressing disappointment for Fahmy still being in the position.

After parliament’s Independent Commissions Oversight Committee concluded its investigation into the case, the decision was taken to forward the issue to the parliament floor should Fahmy not resign within the 14 days.

Local newspaper ‘Haveeru’ have speculated that there was a chance that Fahmy will not lose his postion as the Chair of the CSC if the issue was presented to the parliament floor. The newspaper reported that Fahmy has close relations with government-aligned MPs that dominate the Majlis chamber, according to some political figures.

In the parliament committee meeting, five MPs voted against taking action against Fahmy and the other five MPs voted in support of taking action against Fahmy and the vote was even.

In such situations where the vote appears even, the regulations obliges the Chair of the committee to vote. It was decided ultimately that action should be taken against Fahmy was passed after the Chair of the committee Independent MP Mohamed Nasheed voted in favor taking action against Fahmy.

The committee took the decision on July 11.

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MDP detainees on hunger strike in response to alleged “police brutality”

Six Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters arrested for allegedly throwing stones at the motorcade of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s motorcade while he was visiting Addu City have declared themselves on hunger strike as of yesterday afternoon.

In a statement, the MDP said that the six supporters, which include elected Addu City Councilor Ahmed Mirzadh, as well as his father and brother, began the strike yesterday at 4:00pm after being detained on suspicion of throwing stones at the former president and present head of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

An MDP statement claimed that the detained supporters had launched the hunger strike in protest at allegations of police torture whilst in custody.

Abdulla Haseen, Lawyer of Councilor Mirzad said his client was detained for allegedly throwing stones at former President Gayoom’s motorcade, adding that he was very worried about the arrest.

‘’He’s an elected councilor. He is not a violent criminal. He’s a very responsible man,” Haseen said adding that the court has granted an extension of his detention period to ten days.

Police have meanwhile confirmed that the detained MDP supporters were on a hunger strike.

Police Sub-Inspector Hasssan Haneef has said that although the detainees have declared themselves on hunger strike, authorities had been providing them food as scheduled.

Meanwhle, Addu City Council has issued a statement calling for the immediate release of the arrested councillor.

The statement alleged that the motive behind the arrest was to “narrow” the powers of the Addu City Council, which also condemned the brutality of the “coup government” of President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan.

Since February’s transfer of power, the MDP and former President Mohamed Nasheed have continued to allege that the previous government was removed from office in a “coup” by mutinous elements of the police and military, along with then opposition politicians.

The council also claimed that the current government was envious of Addu City Council, alleging that all the development projects launched by Mohamed Nasheed’s government have been stopped under the present administration.

Yesterday, Police Superintendent Abdulla Nawaz said that a total of 181 persons have been arrested so far in ongoing protests during the last week.  A total of 21 persons are still said to be in police custody after being detained during the protests, which have at times escalated into violent confrontations.

Nawaz alleged that MDP supporters have been conducting criminal activities in the protests, including attacking police officers and vandalizing the property of civilians.

He alleged that protesters have been attacking police officers and using foul language against riot police.  Nawaz conversely denied that police have attacked or used foul language against anti-government protesters during more than seven days of consecutive demonstrations.

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Two suspects linked to police officer stabbing

Police have said an officer working at the Maafannu Ward Police Station in Male’ was hospitalised on Saturday (July 14) after being stabbed in the shoulder with a sharp object at around 3:30am.

Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef today told Minivan News that the injured officer, who was admitted to Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), was released later the same morning.

‘’The investigation is still going on and no arrests have been made,’’ Haneef said.

A statement issued by the Maldives Police Service stated that the officer had been left with a four inch wound in his shoulder following the incident.

According to police, two figures riding a Honda Airblade motorbike are suspected of having involvement in the attack.  No motive has as yet been identified.

Other attacks

Haneef added that another attack on a police officer was recorded in the capital on Thursday (July 12). The officer involved in the incident has since been taken to Sri Lanka for medical treatment.

‘’The police officer was attacked while he was on a Dhilbahaaru Magu [Road] near the Mahchangolhi Cemetery,’’ Haneef said.  “The officer was knocked on the head using a pavement brick and suffered injuries to his skull, face and neck and there were bruises all over him, ” Haneef said.

Haneef said the police officer was on duty patrolling the streets when he was attacked.

‘’Although a second police officer was present at the time of attack, the assailants were too fast and fled before he could do anything,’’ he said. ‘’The CT scan of the injured officer’s head shows that he had received injuries to the skull. Doctors said he was suffering from amnesia.’’

The police website states that the officer was attacked by individuals believed to have been involved in ongoing anti-government protests that have taken place in Male’ this week.

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Police forward Hassan Abubakur murder case to PG

Police have concluded their investigation into the murder of 65 year-old Hassan Abubakur on Maafaru island in Noonu Atoll, and forwarded the case to the Prosecutor General’s office.

Three suspects were identified as involved in the case: Ahmed Naushad, 27 of Irufa house in Galolhu ward, Akram Abdul Fathaah, 18 of Maafaru Island and Mohamed Faisal of Isdhoo Island in Laamu Atoll.

Hassan Abubakur was found murdered inside his own house on May 30 at around 6:00pm on the island of Maafaru in Noonu Atoll.

“Neighbors living near his house noticed that he had not been coming out at all, and went in to see what was going on and found his dead body,” Ahmed Shareef, President of the Island Council of Maafaru, told Minivan News at the time.

“I saw inside the house after the incident, it seems that some people tried to steal something from the house, because the things inside his house were not arranged as they usually were,’’ he told Minivan New. “Some cupboard doors were opened and some things supposed to be kept on the table were dropped on the floor.”

Head of Maafaru Island Health Centre Ali Shareef suggested that the victim had received a large amount of cash in a lump sum through the elderly persons’ pension scheme, as he had not received it for a long time. The assailants may have killed him in an effort to steal the money, Shareef speculated.

The elderly man’s legs were tied and a pillow was on his face when his body was found, Shareef told Minivan News, according to islanders who witnessed the body.

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