Day: October 3, 2012

Maldives ministers welcome first visitor at start of 40th anniversary tourism celebrations

The Maldives’ defence and economic chiefs joined Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Ahmed Adheeb in welcoming the first visitors to the country since the commencement of 40th anniversary of tourism.

Local media has reported that Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim and Economic Minister Mohamed Ahmed were on hand at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) in Male’ this morning to welcome the day’s first tourist arrivals.

Hong Kong resident Sing Kok and his family were met off the plane by officials and presented with a free holiday in the country for being the Maldives’ first visitors as 40th anniversary celebrations began.

Adheeb told the Sun Online news service that a number of commemorative events would he held in the country up to September 27 next year; ranging from presenting awards, hosting major local and international events and providing sessions at the country’s National Museum, detailing Maldivian culture and artefacts.

Following February’s controversial transfer of power, an unidentified group attacked and destroyed artefacts representing the country’s pre-Islamic heritage kapt at the museum.

The US later provided financial assistance totalling US$ 20,000 (MVR 308,400) to help try and restore artefacts placed in the museum.

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JP MP Alhan Fahmy to initiate no-confidence vote against President and Vice President

Jumhoree Party (JP) MP Alhan Fahmy has said today that he is in discussions with MPs from other parties to submit a motion to take a no confidence vote against both President Mohamed Waheed Hassan and Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen.

Fahmy was initially elected to parliament as an MP representing the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP). He then transferred to the Maldivain Democratic Party (MDP), before signing with JP earlier this year. He was elected as Vice President of MDP during his time in the party.

Fahmy told local media today that he was initiating this vote for two specific reasons:  the first being Waheed’s negative remarks about the Majlis in his last trip to Sri Lanka, and secondly, that in Fahmy’s view neither Waheed nor Deen were fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.

“[Waheed] has said that MPs just stay home without doing any work. That we take our salary and yet are always on leave. Waheed cannot make a statement like that,” Fahmy told Haveeru.

“That is encroachment on the privileges of MPs. This is a very worrying matter. What is going to happen if while staying as the highest authority in the state, he treats the parliament like sh*t?” Fahmy was quoted as saying.

He furthermore stated that both Waheed and Waheed Deen had failed to perform up to the responsibilities of the post detailed in article 100(a) of the Constitution of the Maldives.

Article 100(a) states the Majlis can remove a President or Vice President on grounds of violating a tenet of Islam or the constitution, conduct unsuited to the office, or an inability to carry out the office’s duties.

Removal of both President and Vice President simultaneously would trigger constitutional clauses requiring the Speaker of the Majlis Abdulla Shahid to assume office and to organise elections within 60 days.

According to Fahmy, his initiative was getting support from the opposition MDP, and he specifically noted the work of the party’s Chairperson ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik.

Fahmy said he is now in the process of drafting the motion, expressing confidence that he would be able to obtain signatures from 25 MPs to submit the motion as per the regulations.

According to article 100 (e) of the constitution, a no confidence vote can be passed with votes from two-thirds of the total numbers of MPs in parliament, which amounts to 52 votes.

The constitution also requires 14 days notice to be given before the matter is voted upon, as well as providing both the President and Vice President with the opportunity to defend themselves against their respective charges.

Meanwhile, President of Jumhoree Party Ibrahim Didi, who formerly served in the same position at MDP, expressed concern over Fahmy’s statement.

Didi told local media that being part of the coalition, JP would offer full support to the coalition government. He said Fahmy had made the statement of his own accord, and that the party had no knowledge of the matter.

However, Didi has said that the party has not yet decided if it would take action against Fahmy for speaking against the party’s stance.

During Wednesday’s parliament session, Fahmy also called for the resignation of the Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz and Minister of Home Affairs Dr Mohamed Jameel.

MDP Chairperson ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik confirmed to Minivan News today that he supported Fahmy’s initiative to take the no-confidence vote.

“Since Alhan has taken the initiative, I will support him. I will do what needs to be done to bring the MDP Parliamentary Group on board,” Manik said.

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MNDF denies coast guard operation to return Nasheed to capital

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) have denied media reports that a coast guard vessel had been dispatched to bring former President Mohamed Nasheed back to Male’ ahead of a court hearing rescheduled for Sunday (October 7).

The former president had been due before court on Monday (October 1) to stand trial over the controversial detention of a Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

However, Nasheed boycotted the hearing in protest at what he alleges is a lack of independence in the judiciary, opting instead to participate in a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) campaign in the southern atolls – defying a court order that he remain in the capital.

MNDF Spokesperson Colonel Abdul Raheem told Minivan News that the coast guard was involved in “no such operation” to return Nasheed to Male’ after the Department of Judicial Administration yesterday confirmed police were “to produce” Nasheed to court on Sunday.

Raheem confirmed that a coast guard vessel had been dispatched to Addu Atoll today, but said this was unrelated to Nasheed’s campaigning and the subsequent court order.

Meanwhile, Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef today said authorities would enforce the court order to summon Former President Mohamed Nasheed to the court.

Speaking to Minivan News, Haneef said the Hulhumale’ Court order to summon Nasheed would be implemented, but declined to divulge further information.

Haneef did not say whether Nasheed would be detained before being produced to the court or how police would look to implement the order.

Department of Judicial Administration Director Ahmed Maajid yesterday confirmed that despite the court’s order, the former president was “not to be detained”.

However, newspaper ‘Sun’ reported it had confirmed a team of police officers had departed Male’ to bring Nasheed to court.

Nasheed dismissed the first hearing of the suit filed by the Prosecutor General (PG) on accusation of detaining Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed.

According to MDP, the former President is currently at Gaafu Alifu Atoll campaigning for the next presidential elections expected to be held next year.

The summon order issued by the Hulhumale’ Court orders police to summon Nasheed to the court at 4:00pm on Sunday.

According to social media, supporters of Nasheed are joining him to come Male’ with him to attend the hearing of the case if police is to chase him down from Gaafu Alifu Atoll.

Nasheed has specifically been charged with violating Article 81 of the Penal Code, which states that the detention of a government employee who has not been found guilty of a crime is illegal.

If found guilty, Nasheed will face a jail sentence or banishment for three years or a Rf 3000 (US$193.5) fine, a sentence that would bar him from contesting the elections.

The same charges are pressed against Nasheed’s Defence Minister Tholhath Ibrahim and three Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Generals for being accomplice to Nasheed.

According to newspaper ‘Haveeru’, the hearing into the cases against Tholhath and Colonel Mohamed Ziyadh had been scheduled for today but was later cancelled.  The court said the decision had been made as the judge presiding over the case was on sick leave.

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MNDF chief visits Malaysian fire services

Head of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Major General Ahmed Shiyam has visited Malaysia in order to visit the country’s fire investigation laboratory, reports the New Straits Times.

Indonesian paper The Borneo Post reported that Shiyam was keen to send its own firemen – the Fire and Rescue service, which is a unit of the MNDF – to train in Malaysia.

“Shiyam was impressed with our forensic laboratory where we carried our investigation scientifically and professionally on fire occurrences,” said a Maldives Defence Team delegation made known such intention during its visit to the department in Bukit Jelutong here yesterday.

“During the visit, the five-member delegation headed by Defence Team chief Major-General Ahmad Shiyam was impressed with our forensic laboratory where we carried our investigation scientifically and professionally on fire occurrences,” Deputy Director Mohamed Tabot told the paper.

It was reported that the visitors also observed a rescue mission and inspect equipment.

The MNDF also announced the participation of its special forces troops in the multinational ‘Cormorant Strike III’ training exercises in eastern Sri Lanka.

It was revealed that these exercises included mock raids on boat yards,  the taking of high value targets, reconnaissance, seaborne operations, amphibious landing, ambushes as well as counter terrorist actions and hostage rescue missions.

The MNDF forces took part alongside soldiers from China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.

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Tholath and Ziyad’s hearing cancelled as judge takes sick leave

Today’s scheduled hearing of former Minister of Defence Tholhath Ibrahim Kaleyfaan and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Colonel Mohamed Ziyad has been postponed after one of the three judges on the panel took sick leave, local media has reported.

Thalhath and Ziyad join other MNDF officers Moosa Ali Jaleel and Ibrahim Mohamed Didi (retired) as well as former President Mohamed Nasheed in being charged with Article 81 of the penal code.

Haveeru reported that no new date has been set.

If found guilty, Nasheed and Tholhath will face a jail sentence or banishment for three years or a Rf 3000 fine (US$193.5).

Nasheed’s hearing was scheduled for Monday was cancelled after he failed to present himself in court and instead left Male’ to campaign in the southern atolls, in defiance of a travel ban.

The department of judicial administration yesterday confirmed that police were to produce Nasheed at a rescheduled hearing at 4:00pm on Sunday, October 7.

Nasheed’s legal team last week voiced concerns that the Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court had been assembled illegally, with judges “handpicked” in contravention of the Judicature Act.

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Police arrest four in connection with murder of MP Afrasheem

Police have arrested four suspects in their investigation into the murder of Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) MP Dr Afrasheem Ali.

The member for Ungoofaaru constituency in Raa Atoll was murdered on Monday night shortly after returning home from appearing on the TVM show, “Islamee Dhiriulhun” (Islamic Life).

The show finished around 11:00pm.  Afrasheem’s body was discovered by his wife at the bottom of the stairs of their apartment building shortly after midnight.

The MP had been hit four times in the back of the head and a chunk of his skull was missing. He also suffered stab wounds to the chest and neck, according to reports at the time. He was buried on Tuesday after Asr prayers with full state honours.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hassan Habeeb in a press briefing today revealed that three men and one woman had been arrested, but declined to identify them as it could “hinder the ongoing investigation.”

Habeeb urged the public to provide any information relating to the murder case. He said police were particularly interested in speaking to anybody who had seen Dr Afrasheem or his car between 10pm to 11pm the night he was murdered.

He also declined to confirm reports appearing within local media that the arrested female was a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

MDP activist Mariyam Naifa was arrested in Male’s Dolphin Cafe on Tuesday night, and will appear in court at 7:00pm on Wednesday. Naifa’s lawyer said she was arrested in connection to intelligence received by police in the Afrasheem case. Supporters began a campaign for her release on social media.

“We are not arresting people based on their political affiliations,” Habeeb insisted during today’s press conference.

Meanwhile, police on Wednesday conducted a search of the MDP’s protest camp at Usfasgandu. Police did not confirm if the search of the site with metal detectors was related to the death of Afrasheem.  However MDP MP Eva Abdulla, who was at the site when police arrived, claimed an officer had informed her that the area was being searched in connection with the Afrasheem case.

Police on May 29 raided the site on the pretext that it was being used for the practice of black magic, discovering what they claimed was black magic paraphernalia and a packet of condoms.

Police meanwhile today disputed allegations in local media that they had made a decision to withdraw MP Afrasheem’s security shortly before his death.

Deputy Police Commissioner Hussain Waheed told reporters that Afrasheem had contacted him on September 5 requesting security be provided.

According to local newspaper Haveeru, Deputy Commissioner Waheed said Afrasheem had called for police protection twice as of September 22, but had then informed him “that I’m quite cool and relaxed now.”

Waheed said Afrasheem had not elaborated as to why he had requested protection in the first place, claiming only that he was experiencing “trouble” from certain people.

Condemning the attack

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has condemned Dr Afrasheem’s murder, “the first MP to have been killed [amid] constant political tensions in the Maldives [that] have led to many serious outbreaks of violence.”

“The death is the latest and most tragic act of violence in a country that has been in a political crisis since the start of the year,” the IPU stated.

“The organisation is seriously concerned of reports that other MPs are receiving death threats, including through social media channels such as Twitter. A number of Maldivian MPs are registered with the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians because of the violence, intimidation and political harassment they are suffering. The IPU will be monitoring them and following up on developments in Maldives very closely to help ensure their safety,” the international group stated.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed, currently campaigning in the southern atolls of the country, condemned Afrasheem’s murder and called for people to embrace the moderate Islamic views of the murdered religious scholar.

Local media reported that the MDP held a minute’s silence during its rally on Kolamaafushi in Gaa Alif Atoll.

UN Resident Coordinator Andrew Cox issued a statement calling for “mourning, reflection, and national unity.”

“Dr. Afrasheem distinguished himself in many ways, as a public servant, an accomplished scholar and as a member of parliament. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues in the People’s Majlis,” the statement read.

Amnesty International condemned the “shocking act of violence”.

“We call on the Maldives authorities to ensure that the investigation into the killing meets international human rights standards, and that no suspect is ill-treated or tortured,” said Abbas Faiz, Amnesty International’s Researcher on the Maldives.

“Given the current tense climate in the Maldives, all political actors must show restraint and ensure that this killing does not lead to more violence,” Faiz stated.

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