Velezinee attack a “huge concern” for free speech: Dr Sawad

The stabbing this morning of Aishath Velezinee, Presidential Member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) responsible for ensuring ethical conduct in the judiciary, has been condemned as an attack on free speech and law and order in the country, attorney general Dr Ahmed Ali Sawad has said.

Velezinee was taken to Male’s Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGHM) after she was stabbed in the back with a sharp object whilst out in the city this morning, police have confirmed.

The Maldives Police Service were unable to confirm if any suspects had as yet been apprehended over the attack and were continuing to investigate the case.

Speaking to Minivan News today, Dr Sawad said that the attack was a “huge concern” for the country. “Judicial abuse at any level cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Beyond the concerns held as a private citizen over an attack within the capital, Dr Sawad added that the assault on Velezinee had a direct impact on judicial proceeding in the country.

“The JSC is constitutionally mandated to oversee the ethical functioning of the judiciary, she [Velezinee] had been very vocal in her role and that is something that must be accommodated [in the courts],” he said “If we cannot express our opinions openly, than this obviously impacts the functioning of the judicial body and how it serves the public.”

Dr Sawad said that beyond his role as Attorney General, as a private citizen he was dismayed that “law and order in the capital could have deteriorated to such an extent”.

Haveeru reported that President Mohamed Nasheed had visited Velezinee this morning in hospital following the attack, which reportedly occurred on a junction between Maaveyo Magu and Majeedee Magu, expressing hope she would continue her work at the JSC.

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65 thoughts on “Velezinee attack a “huge concern” for free speech: Dr Sawad”

  1. adhaalath sheikhs said velizinee, kerafaa naseem are laadheenee people. Don't they have to take the responsibility for promoting hate speech?

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  2. What motive would an average citizen have to stab Velezinee? It's highly likely this was politically motivated. Our beloved politicians are pretty much known to pay off gangs for these kinds of services.

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  3. Iw oudl call this an act of cowardice. such cowardly acts have become so common in the streets of Male'. look the stark truth in this. at one side is Velezinee who is so vocal and bravely voices her opinion. her opinion may not be everyone elses, but she definitely is right in voicing out her side of the story in the open. ont he other side is the coward who committed this attack. Dude, the least you could have done was to own up to your act and voice it out for all to hear. i pity such cowards. and as long as Velezinee talks in the opne, i will listen to her and so will many others.

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  4. The decent and civilized few people in the Maldives should not scarify their life for this small tiny island nation with majority of uneducated uncivilized mass. It is worthless to scarify for such unworthy country and people. It is better let them rule by their backward religious mullahs and let them rot like Thaliban.

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  5. It is doesn’t auger well to hear from Dr.Sawad that “law and order in the capital could have deteriorated to such an extent”. Is it only now that he has woken up from a deep slumber to the precarious situation Maldives have for long been tottering on. What about all those Maldivians who had been a prey to knife attacks and never been fortunate to live to tell the tale. Ditto to foreigners. How long will it take before the malice is effectively dealt with?

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  6. This is what our 'Great Leader' who ruled for 30 years is made of...

    Violence, Violence, Violence.. that's all he knows.. And his Entire family..

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  7. I pray to Allah that Velizenee be in the best of health and a speedy recovery. She is the most courageous, honest and determined Maldivian woman in recent history.

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  8. This looks like well planed gimmick by Velezinee and MDP hardcore to divert the political dynamics of up coming elections and parliament affairs. Haveeru news reports, she spoke by phone but refuse to talk about injury and ask to talk to police. For Mr. Sawad i want ask, what about series of stab we see every day in Male' and some times even murder.

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  9. President's member at JSC gets stabbed; President threatens former President with death; Majlis members give themselves absurd pay increments.... Our politicians have failed us. It's time for the public to stand up for our rights.

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  10. Sure, why did Adaalath party said Velezinee is a laadheenee lady. surely Adaalath has to be blamed. I want an answer doctor or whatever Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari.

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  11. MUST BE ONE OF THOSE BEARDED FUNDIES! WAHAABEES HATE FREE SPEECH! THE "POLITICS BEHIND IT WAS THEY SAW A WOMAN WITHOUT BURQAA SO ITS THEIR LAW TO STAB THEM:) SOON THEYL BE THROWING ACID ON THE STREETS!

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  12. Wow. When an ordinary citizen is stabbed to death, nobody seems to care. The president, Sawad...nobody at all. But when some person who's "high and mighty" compared to the rest of the citizens, plus being a friend of the president gets stabbed....things are very different. President starts an investigation on the "5th gear" or would even go "out of the chart".

    The police said that the injuries weren't serious. But do know that people have DIED...yes, DIED in other attacks. And most of those murderers live alongside us every single day, while the victim's family feels helpless.

    This is the big picture.

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  13. This is another stunt from Anni. No one or doctor has seen any injury on her - This is more likely a fabricated lie.

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  14. Velezinee is a reformist. A radical reformer seeking to change the system, fighting a feudal establishment and in the process encountering extreme resistance- it is a fight against the very heart of power, money, greed and corruption. A melting pot of political collusion, for the congregation of the very worst. The judiciary.

    Weed smoker she maybe, this is a fight which will end up her getting almost killed. What has emerged clear from this "incident" is that gang violence has roots in politics; suffice to say there are people walking with clear consciences who actively finance gang violence. The people at the very top have no illusions as to who maybe implicated as being behind such acts of terror.

    The investigations will turn up nothing. The system is too heavily invested by those who have an interest in ensuring some things never change. Change of governments do not necessarily imply change.

    Everyone who is anybody is involved, and cutthroats are in power. The powerful by definition are cutthroats.

    There is a lesson therein for the Dhivehi people. A people who unfortunately are rooted in poverty, ignorance and fealty. The middle class charade is an offshoot of a criminal system of economics, finance and lordship. Capitalism does not work.

    Velezinee was ginikannyaa. Has she been silenced. I think she will be. Only the people can save themselves, but when people become embossed in their own greed and injustice they are doomed to fail. The generational turn-over of this country determines its fate.

    Of course this maybe an isolated incident or it maybe she was caught in a competitive bid for her home grown ganja.

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  15. "This looks like well planed gimmick by Velezinee and MDP hardcore to divert the political dynamics of up coming elections and parliament affairs. "

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA!!!!

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  16. to anbar: n do you concider youself civilized? your comment tells you have no love o such thing for the nation ( ie.the land,the people,its culture,and the shari'ah that should be followed here). attacking her is definitely a cowardly act...but dont think that others are lowly...coz thats what that is uncivilised!

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  17. Get well soon Vel, and keep on fighting for us.

    We are glad you are on our side, campaigning for fairness, transparency & justice.

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  18. I completely agree with nix. I am not fan of Veleziniee nor MDP supporter but I find her very honest and good person. Those cowards couldn't stand bcaz she speaks truth and they want to kill her. What a shame. Whoever did it must be a coward. Shame on you!!!

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  19. we are extremely aware about the hidden and concealed agenda of the Zionist Government !! what was occurred at this Morning is a big political Drama !! Consequently ,the Government can only mocked with that backward Mullaas. we Maldivians are assuring to the Zionist Government that we will stand for protect the firm religion of Maldives and the sovereignty of the nation until the last minute !!!

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  20. This is unacceptable violence. This is totally against Islamic teachings.

    Only change of attitude and uniting to improve the situation on the streets of Male' and for Maldives.

    It is time for unity. May Allah help us all 🙂

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  21. I would probably not be heard, but yes, I think that this petty game of diversion has to stop somewhere. You do realize that in effect, within hours or days, the media attention is going to be focused on this event, leading to so many shady deals happening on the side.

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  22. This a day of shame. I hope all in the chain of law enforcement realize how badly they have failed the people. The jails do not hold convicts. The courts do not hear cases. The Prosecutor General does not prosecute. Politicians openly court gangsters. MPs defy the law.

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  23. This is Indian movies politics. Kadar khans political hindi movies.... Own party can't be ruled out to get sympathy. After all it's all about politics

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  24. This is unacceptable. Wish a speedy recovery for velezinee.

    Btw. Don't you all know that even if we promote western civilized politics and their philosophy in reality what we have here is Indian gunda raj. Are we still in denial?

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  25. @yupe

    Haveeru reports Anni has seen four stab wounds on her body. Anni has checked her out at her room and confirmed these wounds.

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  26. oh stabbing???..is this the only Maldivian whos been stabbed!!??????

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  27. Velezinee... what type of a name is it? Sounds funny, what does it mean? Is it a muslim or italian name?

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  28. pfft. If this a government conspiracy, then certain factions which have been rendered liable before thank you.

    Velenzinee had an idea of what she was getting into, so did Anni, so did sarangu municipality fellow. The real dilemma is when you have so much filth at your disposal, how best to go about reaping its benefits, without, repeat-without compromising yourself. The answer is simple, you play all sides, then wait and watch things unfold.

    Her lesson was this- hold your tongue else do not hesitate the unwelcome cold calculation of a razor blade.

    There is no interplay here. Which is to say there is. And its to do with drug money and resort bids.

    meheh

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  29. Velazinee is a courageous lady fighting for justice. It is obvious that she had many enemies down the line. I am sure she would not retreat an inch because of this attack. There are people out there who don't want to see any change of the system.

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  30. I totally agree with Dr.Sawad on this. Dr. Sawad is perhaps the only person in Anni's corrupt cabinet working for the betterment of common people.

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  31. From the incident, the article and the comments, it is obvious this is politically motivated.

    I doubt this is Adhaalath; instead this reeks more like some of the other political groups we all know.

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  32. Get life Donbeefan. What Zionist agenda you are talking about. If some liberal minded people want see a free society does not mean, there is any hidden Zionist agenda. In every society you have people with different mentality, now after that dictator Qayoom left, people are open to disclose their political views and you translate this as Zionist agenda. Are you comparing yourself Palestine just because you are Muslim? Read world history and cultures and global politics, you will know how much Zionist agenda will be applied to your nation.

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  33. MAG has strongly indicated he's coming, fueled onto his all time planning to be the ruler, helped by the latest action of making a portrait of himself with the help of 3 of his stooge MP's, in KL. Let's hope the portrait shows a live person atleast!

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  34. i heard that president nasheed is gona find out the attacker no matter what. wonder why he doesnt get so emotional when a random citizen is the victim.how many people have died in stabbings,fights and all.but whenever someone connected to him is the victim mr. president goes berserk.as the president of this nation he must be equaly woried about the victims.it doesnt have to be 5TH gear for his friends and 2nd for others.dont you great thinkers understand this simple fact?

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  35. Our dear president,

    Velezini is not the only innocent person that was stabbed on the road..many died from such serious incidents during your leadership....many locals,expatriate workers get stabbed,killed on the roads by such violent attacks on Male' roads..

    This is not the first incident of its kind,but at least now we know that if certain people get attacked on the road,the president will leave no stones unturned to get justice for them and he shall personally visit the injured..

    that's the way they work

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  36. Well i must agree this indeed is a very cowardly act..i hope velezinee recovers soon she really is an amazing lady:)

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  37. Vel - a woman above most people in courage and integrity. Shame to those who resorts to such measures - greed and power and utter selfish motives. Ridiculing the rule of law, ridiculing freedom of speech but before ridiculing the very nature of human life. Whether it is Adalath, or extremists though less likely in this case, corrupt judges who serves the criminals and drug dealers, politicians (some MPs??). Chicken to stay hidden and send young kids out to do the job.

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  38. this could be something by our honorably corrupt mps. they were getting so much attention they needed to divert it to some other high profile figure. and who better than the vocal yet vulnerable vel that the shady wicked of the mps hate. she just was expendable...she was perfect for it. it was an easy decision.

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  39. @Ibrahim Yasir on Mon, 3rd Jan 2011 6:08 PM: I wonder if "Jeffrey Salim Waheed" is a Muslim name. As far as I know this guys are Maldivians....I do not speak about the religious side, coz I am not a religious scholar. If you have ever opened your ears or eyes, there were so many people who were given non-Muslim names in the previous regime (when we had a Muslim scholar as the President). Think about the name Jennifer, Simon, Alexander Nasheed, Rozaina,Michael, etc. I wonder if these names are Muslim names.So please do some reading or at least talk to more people before you go on harassing others. As far as lots of Maldivians accept, Velezinee is one brilliant lady who has the guts and strength to stand up and voice out the truth behind all the dirty acts which go on in the judiciary. Just because one has leafed through the Sharia books doesn't make him/her a religious scholar. And when one goes and plans all the dirty acts while under an oath, it makes it worse. It doesn't matter which posts they may hold. Go for it Velezinee! Face these creepy cowards! We are with you! You make us proud to be Maldivian women. Hope you recover soon!

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  40. Our dear msrashyd,

    When you excrete 1 or 2 seefoali a day, you don't go to the doctor. But when your bandu kakkaalaa and get the same seefoalis in dhiyaa form, you know Another Foreign agent has come into play in your stomach, and rush to the doctor.

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  41. may b judicial guys says they need security plus car for their personel due to that some guys may neet phahaphs

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  42. @msrashyd, There is huge difference between street violence and organized crime and hate crime. Stabbing political figure who has liberal view, was a hate or organized crime committed by matured people with political agendas. Any democratically elected president will react strongly for such a barbaric action. You compare this with street violence which happens as result of strayed children who are produced by people like you. You don’t seem to be a person with grey matters.

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