Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s faction of the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) this afternoon protested outside the Prosecutor General’s Office, marched through the streets of Male’ demanding justice for the martyrs who died in the November 3 coup attempt in 1988.
The Z-DRP protesters set out from Artificial Beach carrying 19 wooden coffins wrapped in the Maldivian national flag, calling to arrest Former Defence Minister Ameen Faisal and other senior officials in the government whom they alleged were involved in the incident.
The protesters marched down Majeedhee Magu and stopped as they reached the Prosecutor General’s Office, setting down the coffins on the ground and calling for the arrest of those involved in the November 3.
They remained until the police arrived and told the protesters to leave the area, whereupon they walked back to the Artificial Beach.
On November 3, 1988, the Maldives was attacked by 80 armed mercenaries linked to the Sri Lankan terrorist group, the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom requested Indian intervention and 1600 paratroopers were deployed to the Maldives.
19 people were killed in the fighting, including several hostages taken by the mercenaries.
Zaidhul Ameen, a Z-DRP official, told Minivan News that today’s protest was to “hand over a letter to the PG, requesting him to conduct a fair trial of those involved in the November 3 attack.”
‘’There are people in the government who were definitely involved in it,’’ he said. ‘’But in the letter we did not mention anyone’s name.’’
He said depending on the reaction of the PG, more protests would be held.
The current government has set up an office and is seeking information from the public in an ongoing investigation into allegations of torture by the former administration.
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Why? Did Gayyoom ignore the issue? Why wasn't justice served when Gayyoom was in power? It is funny that Gayyoom's faction is demanding justice for the martyrs.
This is a most interesting report and thank you for its publication.
The 1988 coup attempt, to which you
refer, took place in Male. It was a very significant event and it was covered from beginning to end on the BBC and the major British newspapers.
Although I was living in Finland at the time, and had been out of Maldives for many years by that time, I remember this episode vividly as if it happened only yesterday.
Mr Gayoom's family and government openly blamed the previous president Ibrahim Nasir for it and started doing nasty things against Nasir and what was left of him in Male in terms of relatives and friends, and also in-laws.
Legal proceedings were started against Nasir and he was condemned in absentia by a court that cannot have been free and fair.
After this, Nasir could never come back to Maldives- a country he had ruled for 21 years, brutally but efficiently and with a high degree of patriotism.
Nasir was brave beyond measure in fighting for independence from Britain.
He was the first Maldivian ruler who could look beyond his family and relatives. In this respect, he was far superior to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
There is no concrete evidence of Nasir's involvement in this affair.
It is also ridiculous to claim that any past or present minister in the current MDP government had anything to do with this invasion.
The opposition faction is playing political ball game.
In the current cultural dispensation in the Paradise Islands ( Maldives ) , this ball game may be perfectly legal.
But it is the statement of an untruth; a figment of an old man's imagination.
This is not a protest or a demonstration. This is what people usually call
Gayoom aka DRP Zaeem aka Zedey of Z Faction has all the powers of the state consolidated in his hand when the 1988 coup took place.
People were arrested, dragged on the roads of Male and beaten up in front of our eyes. They were tortured and served whatever prison sentences they were given behind bars at the mercy of Zedey's and Isthafa's inhumane entertainment. They were released during Zedey's regime.
Those who lost lives were compensated for in every way possible. Not that I believe one can ever compensate for a lost life.
And now Umaru Naseer, someone who has a chronic need to torture people atleast while he was policeman is coming out on the streets calling for justice for these people who were killed in 1988 coup?
How lame is that? Maybe Washington post should put more pictures of him to put an end to his drama and do a favour for Maldivians who need peace on the streets of Male'.
Simply put, today's 'street farce' represents the feeble attempts of a fallen dictator, yet again trying to sell the Big Lie about the so called November 3rd incident many believe to have been master minded by the Dictator himself. It was a violent act planned and conducted by the regime in order to stop Mr. Ilyas Ibrahim's faction in challenging Gayoom and his Kaminee Clan. It is also probable that there was direct assistance provided by some agents of RAW in India.
Today, nobody believes Gayoom's lies. His days are numbered. One day the long arm of Justice will catch up with him and his thugs like Umar Naseer..
Justice for the 1988 coup attempt deaths? Gayoom left this unfinished too?
I'm not surprised. 20 years at Gayoom-speed is barely enough time for him to even blink.
I would welcome a fair trial of this whole heartedly. I'm sure some of the people Maumoon arrested and tortured will be proven innocent. Adam Zahir, Maumoon and Isthafa got confession from people by torturing them. You tried November 3rd stunt during the second round of presidential election. You thought it was the ace of spade. Lost ha?
Let's have a fair trial. See what happens.
@Michael-
"Nasir was brave beyond measure in fighting for independence from Britain."
You must add, he was ruthless too. Just ask the people of Havaru Thinadhoo.
The protest organized today was an affront to the victims of that day. The perpetrators of the Coup attempt were captured, tried, sentenced and I must say pardoned by the Zaeem regime. There is no pending justice, if there were, no accusations of involvement were leveled at anybody during the past 23years. Zeday is just politicizing their memories for his personal gain. What is Ameen Faisal being accused of? Being related to someone who organized the coup attempt?
Contrast this to the protests at the court against Zeday, which was a demand for justice yet to be served. Not only are they denying responsibility, they belittle the victims by implying that they deserved it.
My only regret...If 20 years ago, if only Pres Maumoon carried about the capital punishment.....
Who is Zedey?
Yeah, lets have a fair trial and see who will be guilty of failing to prevent this, with all the intelligence they had, again it would be our beloved Zaeemu dho? There is absolutely no escape for his high and lowness Zaeem dho?
@Confused-
Zeday = Zaeem = Pharoah = Zero = Golhabo = Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Hillarious - they had absolute power for 30 years but let the so called criminals just walk free but now want the government who do not control the justice system to lock them up... Just hillarious...
lol Whats a wacko Maumoon G. has become.
The 1988-coup or Fisthoal Luthfy-Sagar Nasir led Tamil Tigers invasion was NOT blamed on Nasir. Some posts seem to confuse this with the 1980 attempted coup in which it was alleged that Kerafa Naseem, the current foreign Minister, Kuvaa Mohodhey and Maizan Ali Manik played key roles and which the Gayyoom government blamed on Nasir.
There was clear evidence that current state ministers Shahid and Umar Jamal were involved in the Luthfi/Sagar Nasir led 1988 Tamil Tigers invasion
It will be so nice to see a fair trial for those allegedly involved in Nov. 3 does this mean that Z faction is admitting that the trials were for fair the first time around? Bloody hell these people are so messed up in their head they have no idea what they are talking about.
It is funny.... How can a president at that time now come and ask for justice....for something he was in power to do at the time of incident!!?? How stupid is it human possible to be!!???
YES YES. Lets have a COMPETENT INVESTIGATION AND A FAIR TRIAL for the November 3 coup. The Government also must investigate the torture that were carried out at Dhoonidhoo to get confessions from people who were thought to be involved in the Coup. And also investigate how the Judiciary then passed sentences.
Z DRP - first of all your govt was failed because you cannot protect the people after being informed to you. Maumoon has to apoligise to the citizens. He and his cronies has to take the full responsiblity for that. Umar kuraa kanthakun eynage fookolhah govanee. really a nut case.
Zaidhul Ameen, a Z-DRP official, told Minivan News that today’s protest was to “hand over a letter to the PG, requesting him to conduct a fair trial of those involved in the November 3 attack
does this mean that Maumoon is admitting there wasnt a fair trial of the 3rd Novermber 1988 coup attempt during his time
Well then we should be asking him why and demand for an official inquiry into why a fair inquiry was not conducted during his time
I would rather think that they are dragging their own coffins!
And why not the faction ask theie Zaeem what the hell he was doing since then and up to the time he left office?
Agree with hudha about this government get an unbiased and competent investigation of what Maumoon and his Judiciary has done to those said to be leaders, supporters etc. etc.!
This is real nonsense which authorities will have to take measures before thid lot get out of hand, and disrupt what ever little peace there is in this country!
The question is what the hell is this Government doing accommodating the madness of this lunatic Maumoon still. He does not realise he is digging his own grave now. How can you question your own rubber stamp judiciary. The alleged participants were tried and sentenced by his very own judiciary.
This hole thing was planed by Moumoon. And he knows this from the being
What is this?..The funeral of DRP as we know it..I don't care about the protest the issue is not that..The important issue here is are we going to have a viable opposition in this country.
Almost there....
Welcome to the one party rubber stamp dictatorship....Hope Maldives make it to the " New 7 dictatorships of the world"