Day: August 29, 2012

MDP gears up for “direct action” protest as Gahaa Saeed resigns from CNI

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s nominee to the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed, has resigned after questioning the integrity and purpose of the commission.

In a brief statement to media around 6.30pm today (August 29), Saeed explained that he chose to resign in protest of CNI’s final report excluding testimony from key witnesses as well as photo, audio and video evidence.

Saeed said he had believed the commission would “find out the truth” after considering all the evidence.

“I thought that the commission would also include as recommendations measures that can be taken to ensure that such a unique coup cannot be brought about again in the Maldives,” he said. “And that [the report] would identify those who committed criminal acts and make a decision on taking action against them after consideration.”

“Up until today, I worked to achieve this. However when none of these purposes can be fulfilled, I don’t believe there is any use of remaining as a member of the commission. And since this is a task I undertook with no pay as a national service, and because I do not want to be involved in something that will not cool the passions of the people, I have resigned as a member of CoNI moments ago,” Saeed said.

Pressed by reporters, Saeed declined to comment further or reveal the conclusions of the report, saying he would speak once it was made public tomorrow.

Speaking at Usfasgandu at 5:00pm today, where supporters of the formerly ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have begun gathering, Nasheed called on the public to take to the steet and “topple the government tonight” as there was “no other choice but direct action.”

Nasheed explained that he advocated against overthrowing the government through street protests because he believed an independent and impartial investigation would lead to an early election.

Nasheed said the CNI report could not “deny what I experienced and saw with my own eyes” on February 7, when he resigned after elements of police and the army mutinied at the Republic Square.

“I am ready to face any traitor police or army officer that confronts me,” Nasheed said. “And I urge all of you to do the same, confront them and change this country’s government tonight.”

The former president has also reiterated his calls for “national police and military officers” to “come out and change this country’s government from the street.”

Nasheed argued that by concluding that the transfer of power on February 7 was neither a coup d’etat nor the result of unlawful activities, the CNI was legitimising overthrowing the government and he was “ready to change the government the same way tonight.”

Minivan News will be bringing live updates of the situation as it develops.

LIVE UPDATES – refresh this page:

7:45pm – Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has told Minivan News that he does not expect “responsible leaders to encourage violence in country”.

“It it time for those active in politics to advise others to be calm,” he said.

“In a small country like ours, we do not want violence like in other parts of the world. Law enforcement will deal with demonstrations in a responsible manner in line with human rights and the constitution.”

7:54pm – Amidst increased tensions in the capital this evening, the Maldives Police Service has said it will be continuing to operate “random searches” on the capital’s street and its surrounding waters.  The claims were made as authorities today warned the public against creating “unrest” or gathering near areas where violent clashes were taking place.

Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef told Minivan News this evening that the searches carried out today formed part of a special operation launched earlier this week.

At time of press, Haneef confirmed that two vessels had been searched by officers. The vessels were later cleared to proceed to their respective destinations.

As of midday, official police figures claimed searches had been conducted in 17 different locations over a 24 hour period on 99 people. As part of this focus, 188 people have been questioned, 258 vehicles have undergone checks, while eight people have been taken into custody, police confirmed.

Haneef said that he did not have further updates on these figures at time of press. However, he added that figures would be available on the Maldives Police Service website as they were compiled.

7:56pm – Police Superintendent Abdullah Nawaz has been quoted in local media today as having said that any protests conducted following the release of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) report will be “broken up without warning, if violence breaks out.”

Sun Online reported that Nawaz had said peaceful protests would be allowed as written in the national constitution, though protesters would not be able to obstruct police in their duties or break through barricades.

“We have received information of plans to create violence following the CNI’s report, especially in Male’. We urge the public to refrain from such activities, and would like to inform that such activities will not be tolerated by the Maldives Police Service,” he was quoted as saying.

8:09pm – The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the Elections Commission (EC) have both today released statements calling for peaceful reconciliation following the scheduled publication of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI).

The statement issued by HRCM has stressed the importance of citizens respecting each others’ human rights, while also emphasising the need to solve issues through discussions and to not allow unrest to take place in any form.

Meanwhile, the EC has called on all political leaders to refrain from any actions that might incite any form of unrest in the country.

Local NGO Transparency Maldives has also released a press statement calling on all stakeholders to ensure that the CNI is allowed to work with full independence.

While calling on state institutions to maintain integrity and public trust, the NGO has also asks all stakeholders involved in the current political process to “show restraint” and calm so that the political situation does not further deteriorate.

8:22pm – MDP MP and Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor has told Minivan News that opposition demonstrations have started at 8:00pm this evening at the Usfasgandu area in Male’.  The demonstration is expected to include a march around the capital.

“The message is simple. We are appealing to security forces to remove the coup-government, the Defence Minister and the Commissioner of Police,” Ghafoor added.

When asked if former President Nasheed would lead the march, Ghafoor replied; “He has been on national radio this evening and told his supporters ‘If you are ready, I am ready’.”

9:22pm – The government has claimed that UN and Commonwealth observers placed on the CNI have today told President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan that there had been “no issues” with the work of the commission, according to local Media.

Newspaper Haveeru quoted President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza as saying that international observers had said the commission was of “internationally accepted” standards as its work was concluded.

The report added that President Waheed had been thanked for the support provided to the CNI investigation. Abbas contended that the observers noted that similar investigations were “seldom” as supported by governments in other parts of the world, reported Haveeru.

Both Abbas and President’s Office Media Secretary Masood were not responding to calls from Minivan News at time of press.

9:50pm – Former President Nasheed is presently addressing a large number of MDP supporters as the party’s march around the capital is halted by a military roadblock near to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) base on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, reports Minivan News’ Daniel Bosley.

10:03pm – Minivan News has observed both police and military officers officers gathered in front of protesters.  “Police officers wearing gas masks are lining up in front of the recently arrived soldiers,”  Daniel Bosley observed.

10:16pm – Protesters are witnessed becoming increasingly animated and jeering police. Some officers are seen chanting back in response, Minivan News observes.

10:20pm – Violent clashes have started with protesters hitting out at the shields of military officers.

10:28pm – Minivan News’ Daniel Bosley observes security forces with boxes marked ‘tear smoke munitions’.  Military officers are meanwhile holding their lines.

10:34pm – An estimated 300 to 400 people remain at the front lines of the protests.

10:40pm – Police have told crowds that the protests will be dispersed without any further warning, Minivan News observes.

10:52pm – A large number of protesters are observed making their way back to Usfasgandu area, observes Daniel Bosley.  Police are moving back down Boduthakurufaanu Magu in similar direction behind demonstrators.

11:07pm – A large number of protesters have now returned to Usfasgandu area.

11:23pm – Police have confirmed an arrest has been made of an individual accused of trying to force their way through police barricades.

11:55pm – Around 10:45pm, Minivan News observed a man emerge from the front line of the protest near the Maafanu stadium holding his head. A photo from the MDP youth group ‘Yellow Force’ later surfaced on social media.

After protesters turned back to head toward Usfasgandu, Minivan News also observed Special Operations (SO) officers with their faces covered with balaclavas, marching behind the MDP supporters and singing “for the sacred religion of Islam and the nation.”

Clashes occurred between protesters and the SO police near the petrol shed. Minivan News observed a man taken into custody behind the patrol shed where police and MNDF vehicles were parked.

An elderly man holding an MDP flag was also taken into custody near Usfasgadu.

12:00am – Speaking at the Usfasgadu rally, MDP MP Imthiyaz Fahmy ‘Inthi’ says the party will submit evidence to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which will consider the CNI report.

Former Foreign Minister Dr Ahmed Shaheed meanwhile tweeted earlier in the day: “Without Saeed’s consent, CONI report is not worth the paper it is written on! CMAG will reject it!”

12:18am – MDP rally closes with a speech by MP Mohamed Nazim. The party plans to hold a large gathering tomorrow to coincide with the release of the CNI report.

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High Court invalidates Hulhumale’ court’s rejection of case against former president

The High Court has invalidated the decision of the Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court to rule it did not have the jurisdiction to proceed with lawsuits pressing charges against former President Mohamed Nasheed and certain defence figures serving under him.

The Prosecutor General (PG) initially submitted the cases against the Former President, former Defence Minister Tholhath Ibrahim and three Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers for their alleged role in the “unlawful detention” of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

The High Court ruling stated the case was based on the “unlawful detention” of a person, adding that magistrate courts have the jurisdiction to proceed with such cases.

The ruling also said that as the incident occurred in Male’ area, the Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court again had the jurisdiction to proceed with the case.

On July 18, the Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court rejected a case filed by the Prosecutor General’s (PG’s) office against former President Nasheed and former Defence Minister Tholhath Ibrahim as well as three other senior military officers over the arrest of the judge.

Hulhumale’ Court Magistrate Moosa Naseem told Minivan News at the time that the case was sent back to the PG’s Office after the court decided that it did not have the jurisdiction to deal with such cases.

“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 explained.

According to the Judicature Act, Naseem said, 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 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.”

On January 16, Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed was detained by the military, after he had opened the court to order the immediate release of former Justice Minister, current Home Minister and deputy leader of the Dhivehi Quamee Party (DQP), Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed.

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.

The Nasheed administration accused the judge of political bias, obstructing police, stalling cases and links with organised crime, describing him as “taking the entire criminal justice system in his fist” to protect key figures of the former dictatorship from human rights violations and corruption cases.

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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Broadcasting Commission demands Raajje TV apologise for publicising defence minister’s text messages

Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) has demanded private broadcaster Raajje TV apologise for reporting 57 leaked text messages allegedly received to Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim’s mobile phone during the controversial transfer of power on February 7.

In a letter sent to the station yesterday, with MBC’s investigation report attached, the commission demanded that the station broadcast an apology statement from last night for three consecutive nights at prime time from 8:00pm to 10:00pm.

The commission contended that the opposition-aligned TV station violated the “code of practice” of broadcasting by airing the text messages.

Upon receiving the MBC letter, Raajje TV last night aired an apology statement “to respect the demands from “MBC to issue an “unconditional apology” following complaints of its alleged “publicising of text messages received to a man named Mohamed Nazim of M.Seenukarankaage on 22 July 2012, Raajje TV would like to apologise for this action.”

Contacted by Minivan News, Deputy CEO of Raajje TV Abdulla Yameen said that the station did not wish to comment on MBC’s decision

The MBC action followed a complaint filed by Defence Minister Nazim in June in the wake of the publication of the text messages.

In a press statement posted on social media twitter at the time, Nazim argued that Raajje TV had violated article 24 of the constitution, which guarantees right to privacy as well as article 37 of the Broadcasting Act, which prohibits the broadcast of illegally obtained information.

The text messages allegedly received on Nazim’s phone reportedly offered congratulations from officers of the security forces, family members and, prominent businesses figures, including tourism tycoon Ahmed Nazeer of Crown Company Pvt Ltd.  Prominent politicians such as Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) Umar Naseer were also reported to have sent the messages.

“Raajje TV’s actions contravene the constitution and laws of the Maldives, as well as broadcasting ethics. Hence, I have asked the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and Maldives Police Services to investigate the matter,” Nazim said at the time.

Raajje TV News Head ‘Asward’ Ibrahim Waheed responded to Nazim’s claims insisting that the station was not responsible for the leaked text messages.

Asward explained that the text messages were made public at an opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally, which Raajje TV televised.

“Numerous print media outlets have also written articles on these text messages. Therefore, Nazim’s targeting of Raajje TV on this matter again illustrates the Maldivian security forces’ attempt to gag free media,” Waheed said.

Controversial text messages

According to the document publicised by the MDP, Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid sent a message to Nazim at 1:42pm stating “Need to talk urgently.”

PPM Deputy Leader Umar Naseer at 2:51 pm allegedly says: “Extremely grateful for your service in saving this country and its religion, thank you, Umar Naseer.”

Three phone numbers registered with the Crown Company Pvt Ltd also offered congratulations to Nazim. Tourism Tycoon Ahmed Nazeer allegedly said at 1:28 pm: “Congratulations. Once a soldier, always a soldier. Keep up the good work, but don’t go overboard. Thanks and regards, Nazeer.”

A Malaysian number which the MDP claims belongs to retired MNDF Lieutenant General Anbaree Abdul Sattar at 4:39 pm said: “Heartfelt congratulations. I pray Allah gives you the patience and wisdom as you proceed to be magnanimous and be mindful of the vow you have made to uphold the constitution and the constitution of the Maldives, Anbaree.”

Anbaree had served as former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s Ambassador to India.

Two text messages also appear to discuss details of the then VP’s movements and logistics for a press conference. A number registered with the MNDF at 2:51 pm says: “Sir VP getting ready to move to Majlis,” while a man identifying himself as Colonel Adurey at 3:21 pm asks when media briefing should be scheduled.

Several security forces personnel also allegedly sent text messages to Nazim thanking and congratulating him for his role in Nasheed’s resignation.

A text message from retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Abdul Shakoor Abdulla said: “Allah Akbar Allah Akbar Akbar Alh’amdhu Lillah. Congratulations! Abdul Shakoor Abdulla Rtd. Dy Com of Police,” whilst a number registered with Lieutenant Colonel Zakariyya Mansoor reportedly sent a text message saying, “Congratulations, Mansoor.”

Another text message from a man identifying himself as “Riya” from an unlisted number said: “Moosa Jaleel’s 15 year savage reign is now over. I was one of those forced to resign. I am really proud to say I’m done STF with you in same platoon. Congratulations, Riya, five rises.” Moosa Jaleel was Chief of the Defense Forces under Nasheed. He resigned shortly after President Waheed took his oath of office.

Attacks on Raajje TV

In recent weeks, the government has stepped up verbal attacks on Raajje TV claiming the station incites hatred and violence against security forces by broadcasting “baseless allegations” regarding alleged police brutality and the service’s role in the controversial transfer of power on February 7.

The police have said it will no longer cooperate with or provide protection to Raajje TV journalists.

The President’s Office meanwhile stopped inviting the station to press conferences and other events.

Raajje TV has since filed a lawsuit against the decision by the police to not cooperate with the station. Hearings have commenced on the case.

Home Minister Mohamed Jameel, Police Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz, and Attorney General Azima Shukoor have said Raajje TV must bear responsibility for the murder of a police officer last month, and have pledged to take legal action against the station.

Raajje TV has previously accused the Maldives security forces of regularly targeting, attacking, threatening and harassing the station’s journalists.

In a July 10 statement, Raajje TV said: “Raajje TV journalists have been forced to live in fear as they have increasingly become targets of attacks by the national security forces, particularly the police service. The station also believes that these attacks and harassment has been the source of emotional distress and psychological damage to all Raajje TV employees.”

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President Waheed meets coalition members ahead of CNI report release

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan has this afternoon meet with representatives of the parties making up his national unity government to discus how to address the findings of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI)

According to a press release on the President’s Office website, the meeting saw discussions on agreeing a way forward upon the release of the report compiled by the CNI. The report, which was scheduled to be released today, has been delayed for at least an additional 24 hours.

The President’s Office stated that a consensus was reached at the meeting whereby all the coalition partners pledged to back Dr Waheed’s views concerning the investigation and its findings.  No further details were provided on the discussions in the statement.

President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza was not responding to calls at the time of press.

Local media quoted government-aligned Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla, as saying that the coalition parties had assured President Waheed that they would not allow any persons to create unrest in the Maldives upon the report’s release. He also said that all the coalition parties were ready to help security forces in their work to maintain peace and order.

Chief Spokesperson of Jumhooree Party, Moosa Rameez, speaking to Minivan News today said: “Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is the president of a coalition government and all the coalition parties have decided to work together with whatever decision he makes regarding the CNI results.”

Rameez said that the coalition parties also agreed not to hold any protests or demonstrations following the CNI report, no matter its final outcome.  He added that although government-aligned parties in the coalition had pledged to follow the president’s views on the matter, they had not yet received any additional information about it.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has alleged that President Waheed’s government came to power on February 7 in a “coup e’etat”.  These claims form the central focus of the CNI’s investigation into the exact details surrounding the controversial transfer of power.

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Government confirms CNI report release delayed by at least 24 hours

The Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) report will not be released to authorities and former President Mohamed Nasheed for at least a further 24 hours, authorities in the Maldives have today confirmed.

The President’s Office has previously said that it anticipated receiving the report by today. However, speaking at the time of press, President’s Office Media Secretary Masood Imad denied that the government had expected a completed copy of findings to be received today.

President Mohamed Waheed Hassan agreed last month to extend the deadline by which the CNI must conclude its report into February’s transfer of power by August 30, 2012.  CNI Co-Chair – retired Singaporean Judge G P Selvam – had requested a deadline extension in order to conclude the report due to the hundreds of people wishing to provide information.

When contacted by Minivan News, a spokesperson for the CNI office confirmed that the final deadline to release the report would now be tomorrow, but declined to give a reason for the delay.

Earlier this week, former President Nasheed’s representative on the CNI panel, Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed, expressed concern over a draft report compiled by the commission’s co-chair Judge Selvam.  Saeed alleged that there were “significant gaps” in the report concerning certain evidence and statements that had been given to the commission during its investigation.

A statement released by the CNI today, said that no material obtained as part of its investigation had been lost or mislaid.

“All interviews, evidence and information received to the commission have been stored in a safe and secure manner. Hence this commission is quite certain that no material have been lost or mislaid,” the statement read, according to local newspaper Haveeru.  While the CNI has confirmed the authenticity of the statement, Minivan News has yet to see of copy of the document.

Among the stakeholders expecting to receive the CNI report today were the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which contends that its presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed was removed from office during the events of February 7 in a “coup d’etat”.

The validity of these allegations is at the centre of the CNI’s investigation.

MDP MP and Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said that there had previously been “an understanding” that former President Nasheed was to have received the report between 9:00am and 12:00pm today, alongside authorities including the President’s Office, parliament and the Prosecutor General’s (PG’s) Office.  Ghafoor said that the party was now expecting to receive the report at the same time as the public tomorrow.

“It appears that [the CNI] have changed their minds and are releasing the report in one go,” he said.

According to Ghafoor, the decision to provide the report to key stakeholders like the government and parliament before a wider public release had been decided to allow time for the report to be reviewed by various state institutions and political parties.

“This would have helped, as they way it looks right now, it doesn’t seem the CNI will address Mr Saeed’s concerns. Over the last three days we have not heard from the CNI at all regarding issues such as whether they would include CCTV footage from the President’s Office building [on February 7],” he claimed. “This means we will not be able to fill the gaps in the report before they bring it out.”

In a statement released this week, the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, called on all “Maldivian stakeholders” to address the CNI’s findings in a calm and responsible manner.

“I look forward to the imminent completion of the work of the reconstituted Commission of National Inquiry and to its being able to agree on its report,” Mckinnon stated. “As we approach the release of that report, I would encourage all stakeholders to respect the commission’s findings, and to take time to reflect carefully on how to act upon them in a manner that maintains harmony in Maldivian society and helps strengthen democratic practice and institutions in the country.”

Responding to the statement, Ghafoor said he hoped the next 24 hours would be used by the CNI panel to try and find agreement on the report’s findings in light of Saaed’s concerns over the earlier the draft.

“[Commonwealth] Special Envoy Sir Donalod Mckinnnoon has this week talked about finding consensus on the findings,” he said. “However, if this consensus is not found between the commission’s members, then we would have to question if the CNI report was the report outlined in the Commonwealth’s recommendations.”

With the report now scheduled for release tomorrow, Andrew Cox, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Maldives said that social media reports claiming the CNI report would be launched from the organisation’s headquarters in Male’ were inaccurate.

“We understand that the CNI report will be directly delivered to the major actors concerned as per prior agreements,” Cox stated. “The report will not be released at the UN Building.”

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President prepares to receive completed CNI report as authorities raise prison unrest fears

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan will make an official statement today concerning the final draft of the Commission of National Inquiry’s (CNI’s) findings as the Commonwealth reiterates hope that all members of the commission’s panel will be “able to agree” on the finished report.

As the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has continued its criticism of an early draft of the Commission’s findings, claiming it fails to meet criteria set by the Commonwealth, authorities have this week been raising concerns about potential violence in response to the release of the CNI report.

Both the Maldives Police Service and the Ministry of Home Affairs have detailed fears of unrest spreading across the Maldives following the reports release, both in the capital and the wider atolls, as well as the country’s prisons.

Once having received the CNI’s report today, President’s Office Media Secretary Masood Imad confirmed that President Waheed would likely be releasing a statement on the findings.  At the time of press, Masood said that no time-line had been given by the CNI panel for when the completed report would be delivered to the president.

Along with the President’s Office, key state institutions like parliament, as well the prosecutor general (PG) and the attorney general will be receiving the report a day ahead of the planned public release.

However, Deputy Prosecutor (PG) General Hussein Shaheem told Minivan News that even if it received the report today, the PG’s office was unlikely to issue a statement itself until the findings had been studied and analysed.

“If the report does come out [today], it will be our responsibility to comprehensively read it and study the findings,” he said. “So far, we are not fond of making statements to the media, particularly without fully reviewing the report.”

Meanwhile, the MDP has itself continued to criticise a draft of the CNI’s finding that it has alleged contain “significant gaps” in the evidence it was provided.  The party has claimed these “gaps”, unless rectified, amount to “non-compliance” of Commonwealth guidelines in line with concerns initially raised by former President Nasheed’s own appointee to the committee, Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed.

In a statement, the party drew particular concern with the draft findings of CNI Co-Chair, retired Singaporean Judge GP Selvam, claiming they had been put together without the submission of statements from a number of individuals that hold key positions during February 7. These figures included, Former Commissioner of Police Ahmed Faseeh, Brigadier General (Retired) Ibrahim Didi (MNDF Male’ Area Commander on February 7), Brigadier General Ahmed Nilaam and Col. Mohamed Ziyad.

“The MDP shares Mr Saeed’s concerns as to how Judge Selvam’s draft could be complete when the commission has not adhered to its Commonwealth Agreement derived mandate to look into bank statements and telephone records of principal characters involved in 7 February’s questionable transfer of power,” the party stated. “The MDP’s National Executive Committee has previously stated that it will accept the findings of an inquiry that adheres to the guidelines and agreement reached between Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and the Commonwealth. MDP notes that the concerns raised by Mohamed Nasheed’s nominee to the Commission signal non-compliance with the rules and spirit of the inquiry commission set forth by the Commonweath Ministerial Action Group. “

However, echoing a statement released Monday (August 27) by the Commonwealth’s Special Envoy to the Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, the intergovernmental organisation said that it was calling on “Maldivian stakeholders” to address the CNI’s findings in a calm and responsible manner.

“[The Commonwealth] looks forward to the members of the [CNI] being able to agree on their report, as well as urges all stakeholders in Maldives to respect the Commission’s findings,” Commonwealth Secretariat Spokesperson Richard Uku yesterday clarified.

With the public release of the CNI report set for Thursday (August 30 ) the government and security forces have both expressed concerns over the potential for violence and unrest in the country with the Ministry of Home Affairs raising fears over alleged “plans” by some inmates to create violence in the country’s prisons.

According to Sun Online, Minister of State for Home Affairs Mohamed Fayaz alleged information had been received that inmates were to create violence within prisons at the behest of unidentified political groups.

Fayaz, who also serves as Head of the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Service (DPRS), claimed that communications with political figures had been facilitated by by mobile phones smuggled into prisons, with inmates suspected of such communication having been separated from other prisoners.

“Military fire capacity and police backup will be available on that day,” he was quoted as telling Sun, adding that additional checks had been carried out at the country’s prison as of yesterday evening.

Fayaz himself was not responding at the time of press, with Minivan News also awaiting a response to questions submitted to Minister of Home Affairs Dr Mohamed Jameel.

Minister of State Fayaz’s comments come days after the Maldives Police Service (MPS) launched an operation to introduce increased scrutiny of Male’s streets and its surrounding waters in order to try and control fears of a potential outbreak of unrest ahead of release of the CNI findings.

Maldives Police Service Assistant Commissioner Hussain Waheed told reporters at the time that authorities had decided to strengthen security across the capital and other islands, in order to “not give any opportunity to create unrest”.

However, Waheed claimed police would provide full support and security services to demonstrations held “peacefully and within the contours of laws”.

Despite the claims, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) NGO this week called for the international community to send observers to Male’ in time for the release of the findings of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI).

FIDH said that it was “extremely concerned” about the potential for violence in the build up and aftermath of the report’s release.

“The CNI was established in May to determine the nature of the transition of power in February, which led to the so-called resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed,” the NGO stated.  “These events were followed by continuous unrest in the streets of Male’ and severe repression of demonstrations by state security forces. FIDH calls on the international community to immediately send observers to Male’ to prevent further deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.”

Minivan News last night observed minor confrontations between anti-government protesters and police as about a thousand protesters took to Male’s streets ahead of the CNI release.

Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef was not responding to calls at the time of press to clarify if any arrests had been made during the demonstrations.

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