Author: Ahmed Nazeer

MJA claims MDP activists obstructed journalist

The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has accused Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activists of obstructing a Villa TV (VTV) journalist from reporting a rally being held at the MDP headquarters, and forcing him out of the venue.

VTV is owned by local businessman Gasim Ibrahim, also leader of the opposition-allied Jumhoree Party (JP).

The MJA alleged that journalists covering the riot last night in Majeedhee Magu were also “attacked with stones”.

”We condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms and urge it to be repeated,” said the MJA in a press release issued today regarding the incidents. ”We believe that these attacks targeted at journalists are attacks intended to physically and mentally weaken journalists.”

MJA said the attacks were a violation of freedom of gathering and freedom of expression.

”Journalists are fulfilling a national duty, therefore we request everyone not to obstruct their work,” added the MJA.

Meanwhile, the MDP has issued a statement condemning the ” inhuman activities conducted by the opposition in using youth to conduct unlawful actions”.

MDP alleged that opposition protesters had attacked Parliamentary Group leader and MP ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik, and described the protests as ”unlawful activities conducted to topple the lawful administration established in this country.”

MDP said that protesting lawfully was  supported by the party and urged the opposition to be more responsible, and not confront and obstruct the duty of police.

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Gang members on front lines of ‘cost of living’ protest, claim police, arresting 52

Police arrested 52 persons during last night’s protest who they claim are connected to various gangs in Male’.

A group of youths, led by opposition MPs, have commenced series of protest demanding the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed after the government decided to shift the fixed Rf12.85 dollar exchange rate within a 20 percent band.

Police said those arrested were known to be involved in crimes such as robberies, assault and battery and theft.

”We would like to note that gang members active on the front line of such protests at a time when the police are trying to curb the rise in gang related crimes could potentially obstruct the work of police,” said police in a statement. ”We advise people to conduct any activities that obstruct work by police to try make the society peaceful.”

”Some of the protesters who were covering their faces were reported to have sharp knives and such weapons with them,” police said, adding that some of the handmade explosives used in the demonstration could have potentially caused casualties.

Police also said that owners of shops near the intersection the protesters have called ”Tahrir Square” have repeatedly complained that the protest was causing damage to their businesses.

”Therefore, we would also like to remind protest organisers that the protest disturbs the residents of the area and causes damage to the business of shops located in the area,” said police.

Police appealed to politicians to cooperate with the work of the police to curb the rising crime rate in the Maldives.

The Police request for political cooperation comes after opposition MPs have said they would not pass the Crime Prevention Bill presented to the parliament which gives police the authority to search houses without a court warrant, suspend the right to remain silent all persons accused of crimes mentioned in the bill, and grants them the authority to hold persons in detention for 90 hours without a court warrant.

The bill has a ‘sunset clause’ making it active for 18 months, however the international community has expressed concern that the bill contradicts rights guaranteed in the constitution.

Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) MP Riyaz Rasheed told the press that he did not trust the police to provide them so much power, alleging that that police were violent and brutal in dispersing Saturday night’s protest, and that police would misuse those powers to arrest politicians.

No force was used during last night’s protest, police said, however a number of officers were injured by rocks, paving stones and other thrown objects.

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MJA calls on police to provide opportunity for journalists to cover protests freely

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has called on police and defense forces to provide opportunity for the press to cover protests freely, referring to an incident last night where journalists wearing press identification were ordered to leave the area, effectively bringing the protest coverage to a halt, while those who refused to leave were arrested.

‘’Police last night arrested two journalists and a web developer for the Sun Media group,’’ said the MJA in a press release. ‘’Some of them were arrested while were even wearing the press identification.’’

MJA claimed that journalists covering last night’s protest were physically attacked and one had pepper sprayed directly in the face.

‘’We remind journalists to work responsibly while covering protests or any other activity,’’ the MJA added.

Meanwhile the police issued another statement on the incident saying that they had been  informed that the protesters would be violent.

Police alleged that protesters caused damage to public property and committed arson.

‘’As the police were informed about the plans [beforehand], police met with Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MPs Ahmed Mahlouf and Ahmed Nihan and requested them not to conduct any such activities,’’ said police in the statement.

Police said that protesters disturbed the residents of the area, blocked traffic and that people living in the area were unable to reach their houses.

“Police discovered that lot of loose stones were hidden in the area for the protesters to attack police officers and public property,’’ police claimed. ‘’We also noticed that persons connected with gangs took part in this protest from the beginning.’’

Police also said that where necessary strict action would be taken against those who became violent.

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Alhan wins MDP Vice Presidency while Dr Ibrahim Didi in line for top post

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced the preliminary results of the party’s elections for its President and Vice President.

The results currently show that former Fisheries Minister Dr Ibrahim Didi has won the presidency of the party with 6909 votes, in close competition with the President’s Special Envoy Ibrahim Zak (6554 votes).

Meanwhile former Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party MP Alhan Fahmy has beaten Hussein Adam and Environment Minister Mohamed Aslam for the MDP Vice-Presidency with 7709 votes. Aslam received 5421 votes while Adam received 71 votes.

Fahmy changed sides to the ruling party in early 2010 after he was brought before the DRP’s disciplinary committee for voting against its party line on a motion to dismiss then-Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed for opening relations with Israel.

Housing Minister Aslam has congratulated Alhan for his victory, following the release of the preliminary results. 121 ballot boxes of 218 have been counted so far, with official results to be announced in three days.

Aslam has also congratulated MDP Chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi on running a successful election.

Alhan did not respond to Minivan News at time of press.

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Z-DRP faction officially commences work, denies backing presidential candidate

The Zaeem-DRP (Z-DRP) faction today announced that it has officially commenced its work as a separate branch of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP).

Formed amidst an ongoing dispute between serving DRP leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali and his predecessor and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the Z-DRP aims to represent the former national leader and his supporters.

DRP MP Ahmed Mahouf told Minivan News today that the Z-DRP faction has now formed a council and a committee to officially organise and coordinate the work of the faction.

“Last night, our first meeting was held and it was chaired by Azima Shukoor,” Mahlouf said. “In the meeting, we decided to set up our own office.”

Mahlouf said that during the meeting, the group’s members raised concerns that DRP Leader Thasmeen had disconnected the phone lines of island-based party offices and that the Z-DRP faction was unable to have contact with them.

DRP MPs, including Thasmeen and Deputy Leader Ibrahim Shareef, were unavailable for comment about these claims when contacted by Minivan News at the time of going to press.

“The committee we formed consists of Umar Naseer, MP Ilham Ahmed, myself, [Gayoom’s daughter] Yumna Maumoon, Azima Shukoor and Dr Saud” said Mahlouf.

Mahlouf also said that Thasmeen was accusing the Z-DRP faction of promoting the People’s Alliance (PA) party leader and half-brother of the former president, Yamin Abdul Abdul Gayoom as its candidate in the next presidential elections.

‘It’s all false accusations, we have decided to elect a person as presidential candidate only after going to a primary,” he said. “It could be anyone.”

He claimed that out of the 40,000 registered members belonging to the DRP, 30,000 were in support of the Z-DRP faction.

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Drug Enforcement Department seizes illegal narcotics worth Rf1 million

A haul of illegal narcotics valued at more than Rf1 million was seized over the past two weeks, Superintendent Ahmed Jinah, head of the Police Drug Enforcement Department (DED), told local media today.

Jinah revealed that the total street value of the seized illegal drugs was estimated at about Rf1,040,000 (US$80,900).

“During  a special operation conducted by police, [we] seized 425 large packets of illegal drugs that were yet to be distributed to the streets,” he said. ”Two men have been arrested in connection with this case.”

Jinah did not divulge the names of the two persons adding that the investigation was at an early stage.

”The capture of these packets was a great success, as it could potentially have been out in the streets,” he said.

He added that police were now trying to determine who else may be involved in the case as well as how the drugs were smuggled in to the country.

Jinah claimed said that the past two weeks had been very successful in terms of the work of the police DED.

“We have seven very serious drug related cases now currently under investigation,” he said.

During the press conference, Inspector Ibrahim Nawaz, deputy head of the Serious and Organized Crime Department (SOC), said that police were currently trying to ensure that public parks and other public areas were safe and free of criminal activity.

“We are now monitoring the public parks and places made to comfort people at their free time, to make sure it is really used by the public,” Nawaz said.

Meanwhile, said Nawaz, a second round of rehabilitation programmes for minors was now underway at the Feydhufinolhu correctional training centre for juvenile delinquents.

“The qualification of some of the children we have at Feydhufinolhu is such a low level that it is hard for us to believe,” he said. “There are some children that do not even know how to read and write.”

The programme was intended for young people between the ages of 16 to 18.

“We advise parents to be more attentive to their children,” he said. “Sometimes, it has been reported that children threaten their parents telling them they will be physically attacked if their names were given to police to send them to Feydhufinolhu.”

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam meanwhile referred to a recent decision to publicise the identities of 17 high-profile “dangerous criminals” together with their crime records and alleged gang affiliation. Shiyam revealed that police have since received complaints from residents of certain areas in Male’ saying that they did not wish to be linked with the names of the gangs.

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Hassaan released to house arrest

The Criminal Court last night released Hassaan Ali of Faresmaathoda in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, identified by police as one of the country’s most dangerous gangsters.

Hassaan has previously been arrested 13 times for violent assault and robbery, with two cases sent to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).

Police arrested Hassaan last month for alleged assault during a special operation conducted to avoid potential clashes between gangs after the fatal stabbing of 21 year-old Ahusan Basheer in March.

After keeping Hassan in pre-trial detention for several days he was released by the Criminal Court to house arrest, but was arrested again shortly afterward.

The Criminal Court at the time extended his detention for three days, and after keeping Hassaan in pre-trial detention for a further three days he was released when he was presented to the court by police requesting an extension of detention.

While Hassaan was on his way home from the court he was arrested yet again and taken to court by police, who requested yet another extension of detention. This time the judge ordered Hassan be placed under house arrest.

Local media have reported that police are now watching Hassaan’s house as on several occasions persons kept under house arrest have fled.

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor General brought criminal charges against Hassaan for his involvement in a fight that occurred in Boduthakurufaanu Magu on December 3, 2010.

In court this morning, Hassaan denied the charges and invoked his right for a lawyer, which the judge provided him.

Police requested the court allow them to keep Hassan in detention in a place of their choosing for the duration of the trial. The decision is pending.

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Adhaalath Party plans “Shariah is the Solution” protest march

The religiously conservative Adhaalath Party has announced a nation-wide protest march for next Friday calling for the implementation of Islamic Shariah in the Maldives.

”Murder, violent assaults, robbery, rape, drug abuse and other such crimes have reached an extreme level in this country,” the Adhaalath Party said in a statement. ”The whole nation is threatened and institutions have failed.”

The gathering is to be held under the slogan ”Islamic Shariah is the Solution” and NGOs and political parties have been invited to participate.

”The gathering will commence at 4:00pm near the tsunami monument next Friday,” said the Adhaalth Party, appealing for as many people as possible to attend.

The statement suggested that participants should carry a national flag if possible.

”More than 100 NGOs have confirmed that they will be joining us in this gathering,” a party official said today. ”In the islands they will gather at an area decided amongst themselves; our target is to get as many islands, NGOs and political parties join this gathering.”

While the official did not mention names of specific NGOs and political parties that will participate, he revealed that the NGO coalition formed to protest the planned sale of alcohol from hotels in inhabited islands would be involved.

Religious NGO Jamiyyathul Salaf announced that it backed the Adhaalath Party’s gathering and Salaf would join the party’s event in support.

Salaf President Abdulla Bin Ali Ibrahim explained that Salaf would join any event that demands Islamic Shariah be observed.

”We will hold a meeting tonight to discuss it within our NGO,” Abdulla said. ”We have also expressed our ideas and sent it to the Adhaalath Party.”

The Adhaalath Party has recently threatened to terminate its coalition agreement with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) should an Israeli airline be allowed to operate in the Maldives.

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Adhaalath Party will terminate coalition agreement if Israeli airline allowed to operate in Maldives

The Adhaalath Party has said the party has decided to terminate the coalition agreement with the ruling Maldiivan Democratic Parrty (MDP) should the government permit an Israeli airline to operate in the Maldives.

Transport Minister Adil Saleem told Minivan News last Thursday that relevant authorities were currently processing a license for Sun d’Or International Airlines, a subsidiary of Israeli national carrier El Al, with a view to it operating flights to the Maldives.

Saleem claimed such a move would create opportunities for both Israeli tourists to visit the country as well as facilitate pilgrimages for Maldivians to mosques around Jerusalem and other parts of the country.

However the Adhaalath Party, which has significant influence in the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and is led by State Islamic Minister Sheikh Hussein Rasheed, issued a statement claiming that the majority of Islamic countries had not permitted the Israeli national carrier to operate.

“There are only two Islamic countries that have permitted El Al Airlines to operate: Egypt and Jordan,” the party said in a statement. “The other Islamic countries that allowed El Al Airlines to operate in their countries have withdrawn their permission. And it is to be noted that this Sun d’Or Airlines which is to commence operation in the Maldives is not an airline that any Islamic country so far permitted to operate.”

The party claimed there “were reasons” why out of the 50 Islamic countries, 48 had declined permission for El Al to operate.

“It is because Israel is the biggest enemy of the whole Muslim community, a country that has stolen the holy lands of Muslims, a country that is committing violence against the people of Palestine and as Israeli flights are targets of terrorist organisations, it raises security concerns,” the party said.

The Adhaalath Party added that it “regretted” that the current government had restored diplomatic relations with Israel, “ignoring the feelings of the citizens.”

The Adhaalath Party’s President Sheikh Hussein Rasheed told Minivan News that the decision was an official decision made by the party and that he had no further comment on the matter.

Adil Saleem acknowledged to Minivan News last week that “some Maldivians see Israel as controversial over the issue of Palestine. Yet Palestine accepts Israel as a state, benchmarking the point that I don’t see why we should not allow these flights.”

He also said that the license process for the operation of Sun d’Or was almost completed and that flights were expected to commence operating in Maldives in October this year.

President of religious NGO Jamiyyathul Salaf, Ahmed Bin Mohamed Ibrahim, meanwhile added that the organisation strongly opposed any move that would strengthens the relationship between Israel and the Maldives.

“It will cause more harm than benefit,’’ said Abdulla. “Damage was caused after diplomatic ties with Israel were restored.”

Abdulla said the education system of the Maldives “was ruined” as co-education was also introduced after ties were restored.

“All these issues were raised at the same time as the government restored diplomatic relations with Israel. Later came these doctors who first attempted to work in the Maldives without permission from the authorities,” he said. “They have already committed violence against Muslims in different areas of the world, so why should we expect any better?”

Visiting Israeli eye surgeons from the ‘Eyes from Zion’ NGO were in November met with protests and the burning of the Israeli flag in Male’s Republic Square. The Islamic Foundation NGO contested at the time that Israeli surgeons “have become notorious for illegally harvesting organs from non-Jews around the world.”

Opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Afrashim Ali claimed that Israelis and other foreign elements that “should not be allowed to enter a 100 percent Muslim country”, and would gain a foothold in the Maldives as a result of handing over management of the Male’ International Airport to Indian infrastructure giant GMR.

“[The airport deal with GMR] will open a big doorway for the people of Israel, who are brutalising Palestinians without any justification, to come to the Maldives and take over,” Afrashim said during the protests.

The debate over allowing Sun d’Or to operate in the Maldives could be moot after the airline’s license was revoked on April 1 by the Israel Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). El Al flights had reportedly been operating charter flights under different airline names – despite using the same aircraft and crew – in an effort to circumvent backlash from ultra-orthodox Israeli groups over its operating flights on the Sabbath and religious holidays. The airline has since stated that it would continue to not run flights on Sabbath days despite the loss of revenue, while Sun d’Or remains a charter brand under the national carrier.

“Sun d’Or operates as a designated carrier to European destinations, and carries out flights for El Al on the Saturdays and holidays. This enabled El Al to keep its 30-year plus status-quo with religious and haredi (ultra-orthodox) passengers by not flying on the Sabbath,” reported business magazine Globes.

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