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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I think its better to repeat things only to the extent of Feb 6th, 7th and 8th. I think those actions arent illegal anymore in Maldives. Ill have to beat up the cop who beat me on 8th. No other way for justice here!
A true hero indeed, wish you a very happy birthday
I support MDP principles but I will not support Anni's call for violence and terror on our motherland.
A true hero/ICON ON A TRUE MARCH AROUND CAPITAL. We are with u, frm colombo
A regrettable statement from Nasheed.
A call to arms of this nature is not what would be expected from a politician given the current climate. Clearly elements within the MDP are hell bent on furthering their agenda regardless of the risk to Nasheed's own political future as well as that of the MDPs.
Clearly this coup has been arranged from the inception, the execution, gagging all oppossing media and now the definitive report. The higher they build barriers, the taller you must become. There is nothing else left but to replace this illegal coup government with democracy and the voice and feelings of the silent majority. I will not sit down, be quiet and accept this Waheed, you have destroyed this peaceful and progressing nation. I will peaceful protest with Nasheed until there is justice.
maldivians in India are behind Nasheed too!!
"terrorism" of Nasheed?
Not possible, he could have ordered war on 7th February. The only blood that has been spilt in the last 4 years is since the illegal coup regime and backers to back control with the gun!
Now that we know the report does not see anything wrong how the government was brought down. We have to wait for the 2013 elections which gives the people power to decide. Will it be fair? I doubt it.
"police has warned that the crowd will be dispersed without warning" says daniel bosley. make some sense, man!
Ok write only part of the statements from the government side and that also within inverted commas in certain words. and write the complete statements from MDP. Such bias.
guys stay in Usfasgandu,Anni can be your f"£^&*g cult leader and dznt matter he & maria, ryko sarange can can go ruling in Usfasgandu forever.leave the rest of us.
It is a pity that Anni is calling and inciting violence.
He should be above this and be a statesman and go for the election in 2013 and win it.
That would answer his critics. However, by inciting violence he is falling into the gutter and showing to everyone that all he wants is personal power and not what is good for the country.
As a Maldivian I despair about the people we seems to elect to lead our country.
Is there no one in Maldives who is honest and who thinks of the country before personal gain?
MDP can protest in Usfasgandu all they want, MDP set fire to MDP vehicles all they want, and MDP stuff. Just dont go around setting fire to other peoples property ! Respect other peoples rights !
News is news only if it is new or unexpected. Gaha's resignation was predicted all along and not really news.
another failed stunt from Anni..
This is a perfect time to change MDP leadership and focus on 2013 election!
This mess is caused by he cop govt! Remember how they hired the rentamob to make their protests for 3 weeks? A well planned coup indeed.
Election now to save our country from his brutal illegal dictatorship.
CONI is totally one sided the numbers heavily favouring Waheed. How can they ignor all the video, audio and eye witness eidence. Beyond belief!!
Gahaa, you have narrowly escaped from being roasted alive. I fully understand why you did this.
Iron cuts iron.The brutality will throw out the cruel.Now the time has come to hammer into face.
Goes to show the collective might of the "international Community" to reign in dictatorships. This failure of the Commonwealth to let this coup rot as in Fiji (another of Don McKinnon's failures!) is going to draw back this country's hopes for decent democratic governance by a generation. Lesson is it is our job, the International Community is what we make of it. Strange but increasingly true.
Well done, Saeed, you are a hero. It takes something to stand for integrity and it took courage for you to take this stand against those who refuse to restore integrity in our political system. I salute you.
Anni should be wiped off from the face of the world. Then MDP and Maldives will be in peace.
Still most of the Maldiveans think Dr.Waheed is the culprit in this bloody coup No the id Gayoom. Why dont you all put him
For triyal in International Court of Justice.
The only man with any integrity resigns from the CNI and they expect everyone to just accept the damned report. No freaking way!
there was no coup you morons. animal anni mocked islam and got a taste of what GOD can do to a hypocrite. deal with it. all you idiots also shall taste such torment sooner or later...
Saeed is a coward.
He knows the report contents is not the way he wanted it. It should not necessarily be the way he wanted it.
But unless he makes a haahoo out of it, he will have to take the brunt of the MDP backlash, (Not all of which is ethical either).
hahaha... I feel sorry for you. You have lost trust, the integrity of all. The moment you so much as indicate that you inserted a word into the document, the MDP thugs will switch sides and voila, you are a baagee.
A moron is who let his country fall to its knees while he/she enjoys new flats and blood money!!
foolish yet arrogant!! high on presidency while his people takes to the roads demanding his immediate resignation !!
Lies to the international community about how woundeful everything is whole his people suffer discrimination, literal political extinction and imprismponment
That's a foolish MORON!! moron!
A real MALDIVAN says the truth,
all the rest is irrilavant hoax!!
If we are to wait for the world to save us, nothing will happen!
GOD never changes what's in people' till they change themselves !!
We will take to the streets, never rest or back out, never scared but always careful and we shall win, as we are confident in the victory, of good over evil..
To those of you who are disappointed that President Nasheed is calling to topple the government....Yes, agreed it's not the ideal way to do things, and it's not the right way to do things either...but before you are so quick to judge President Nasheed's actions and intentions, why don't you all have a look at the video footage of the 7th and 8th, and the confessions of people like Umar Naseer, Nazim soh and Hassan Saeed who openly admit it's a coup? If you can defend the coup and the actions of the coup leaders, well then you are in no position to judge the actions and intentions of MDP and President Nasheed since it's obvious that those supporting the current terrorist government have no national interest at heart! Sure, it would be best if we can all very happily wait for 2013 elections and to avoid bloodshed, but if that's what you are calling for why don't you ask yourselves why the coup government couldn't wait for that day? You think when a bunch of terrorist bring about a coup and topple a legitimately elected government, they are not going to do everything within their power to ensure that they win the 2013 elections as well? By hook or by crook and at the expense of this very nation and people they claim to love and protect they are going to do everything to ensure they stay in power, cause they moment they are not, they know they will have to be accountable for their actions. Where are all the sheiks who should be against the coup because as far as I know nothing that happened on the 7th and 8th and thereafter is islamic!!! Don't be so hypocritical. If you people want to avoid bloodshed, well then, call upon the coup government to hold elections now! And call upon the police and military with any national interest at heart, to stop beating people senseless. And call upon coup president waheed to act like a president instead of a puppet who is controlled by the dictator maumoon! And we are seeing every day how peaceful protests are broken into by the terrorist eleements of police and military. These people while wearing full riot gear, don't even have the patience and guts to allow peaceful protests!! It's our right to protest, a right that is given in the constitution and it's very fitting that a baghee government will do everything to ensure such rights are not allowed so that people will have no choice but to remain silent, as has been the case during maumoon's dictatorship!!! This is all about maumoon and his people and people like gasim, hassan saeed, jameel and waheed are just pawns in the game, and these puppets are too stupid to realize that!!!
Anni ah verikan libunee Gasim/ Hassan Seed etc kuri hivvarun. Dhin ebbaru lumun.. Anni ah heevanee tha thimanna ekeni hoadhi veri kamekey?... No.. Libunun niumatha shukuru veri nuve bodaa vegen huri nulafaakan dhakkan ulhuneema Allah minvaru kurehvi goh thee.. Adhiyes gabool nukoh "Hakulhu Kulhuvva" (get the bloody money for your relatives and supportes)
We have become a Puppet Waheed is extending the rule of dictator Maumoon. The coup leaders Waheed and Gayoom we need to bring these dictators to international court of justice for crimes against humanity
@mariyam on Thu, 30th Aug 2012 8:42 AM
Too long.
Face reality. During the mating season, multiple bulls will fight over who gets the harem. He who wins all girls.
The base parameter is who is in power. Anni fell weak during the fight. Granted it is not legal, but name ONE country in the world in which all things are legal. In fact most are worse.
I voted for Anni. I am disappointed he stepped down. err... allowed to be pushed down that is.
But as far as I am concerned, there are other more important things in country that needs to be addressed for the people than to watch to cocks fighting over who gets the throne.
not surprised. mdp will not have it any other way! this will be the same scenario if we have elections. if mdp knows they are losing, they will create havoc and sabotage the process
This is not new for the Maldives. All the heads of state had been violently deposed in the entire history with very few exceptions.
The reason why the Maldivian flag has red instead of blue around the border is because there has been so much red spilled over and over that the oceans actually should be red.
@ Ali Shiyam
That's too bad 😉
If you can justify a violent coup with your sort of logic, then it's no wonder that Anni was..."err..allowed to be pushed down." At the end of the day, a country can only have the kind of leader that it's people want. Yep, people like you are too used to dictators like Maumoon and Waheed, and that is what you have got now. So no wonder you are looking the other way.
@faxu
Unbelievable that you can be so blind and so deaf. When are you going to wake up to the sad reality that this is not about Anni, or the mdp it is about a nation taken hostage by people who want power one way or the other.
The CNI failed to deliver when it chose to exclude critical evidence.
The report is incomplete without that evidence.
No matter how anyone wants to spin it, those are the facts.
The people of the Maldives want to know the truth. And the CNI has chosen to withhold the truth.
Its time for direct action.
Mariyam, Why don't you have the footage and words that had come our from Anni mouth prior 7th Feb ?
From where he was enopowered to shut the judiciary , locked the supreme court,give illegal orders to MNDFP and Police ?
Why did Anni was above the law when he was in power ? We are not nuts and we also have knowledge and experience to understand what was going on at that time and why Anni actions were above the law ?
Get the truth and speak the truth ? Both Anni and Gayyoom were dictators and both had robbed this country and this is the fact.
The hard evidence has been ignored. Waheed,s investigation derves only his benefit. This is why oone is surprised!
CMAG, UK, USA where are you now? Please save democracy and our freedom from the extremeists and the corrupt few?
The international community already knows what happened on Feb 7 but is preoccupied with Syria and bigger problems than reversing a coup in the Maldives. Sorry to say, but the forces of democracy within the Maldives must win this battle themselves.
Occupy the airport and you'll really make World news (like when the Thai reds blockaded Bangkok airport a few years back in their civil war). So few foreigners go to Male than you must interrupt transfers to resorts to really have an effect. Blockade Ibrahim Nasr TONIGHT!
Mody the simple point is that if Anni went against the Constitution then he should have been made accountable for his actions as stated in the Constitution not by a coup! How constitutional is that when the current regime brings about a coup in the name of defending the coup? Why is this simple point so difficult for people to understand. The people out there protesting are not all MDP members, but people who are very much against the coup and who don't want to see Maldives as a country ruled by the military. Today we know that the coup leaders did not come into power to protect the Constitution or Islam, but for their own gains and how can anyone defend that?
Having seen the report I am just wondering why Saeed took so long to understand which it was going. My feeling is that Bagees bought saeed out as well and he just waited until the last moment to come out and say the report is going the other way. This way he appears to be honest to MDP
Coni p 68
Yet another witness, the Minister of Tourism in President Nasheed’s government, Ms. Mariam Zulfa, said that it was Riyaz who had a gun. This was because according to her there was a bulge in the pant pocket of Riyaz.
@aliss. saeed probably waited until the last minute to see if there was any evidence at all that could support anni's and mdp claims.when he realised that there was none, that they did not have a case at all, he resigned from the commission.
unfortunately his claims of foul play are refuted by the commonwealth appointed judge whom mdp even approved of, AND the observers from the commonwealth and the un.
Maumoon had worked his mind to grab power at all cost and he has got his "dogs" on his side and are ready to shoot and kill.
He wanted blood to be shed and that is what CoNI has won him.
He and his family are out of the country as usual when anything like this is bound to happen.
Maldives has no law and order, is a puppet state run by Police who defeated the once thought mightier military.
Shame on the Military who has vowed to defend the nation!
The snake though vulnerable due to the skin shred is tightly still wounded.
It is for the people to decide how to unwind it and deal with it!
Mariyam. Anni took the law in his hands and he hijacked the judiciary and then how to proceed with the legal system ?
Anni had threaten the judiciary and many judges are afraid of doing anything against him ?
Dr. waheed took his office as per the constitution and Anni resigned because of the pressure extorted on him by the majority of people.
Majority of Maldivian expressed their dissatisfaction of Anni and it is the basic rights of democracy . I guess Anni was hugely under the influence of alcohol when he resigned .
Resignation and change of power happened as per the constitution . Anni should have thought that he can come back if he twist his story with the backing from International community
@ mody
There is a process in place in our constitution for a President to be removed. Its called impeachment.
President Nasheed was not removed through the impeachment process.
When our armed officers mutiny and force an elected President to resign it is called a coup.The armed forces were heavily engaged and involved in all the events that took place as we have seen from the videos and the photos on the day President Nasheed resigned. The videos and photos that Saeed has stated has been left out of the CNI report.
The CNI report imply that President Nasheed resigned from free will. I don't think even those who opposed President Nasheed will buy that story.
Shafeeu, Yasir, and Fawas... and ofcourse this judge from that most democratic state from which we can all learn about democracy.....you were given a tremendous opportunity to restore integrity and bring peace. Your failure to do so is quite spectacular.
@mody
Please can you tell us how Anni robbed us? What did he take from us? I am not joking here. If you know something this serious, you should come out with it.
Why the secrecy?