Category: News in Brief

Witness testimony concludes in trials of former Defence Minister Tholhath, ex-Colonel Ziyad

The Criminal Court today concluded hearing witness testimony in the terrorism trials of former Defence Minister Tholhath Ibrahim Kaleyfan and ex-Colonel Mohamed Ziyad.

The pair are accused of involvement in the military’s detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012. Former President Mohamed Nasheed has already been found guilty of ordering the arrest and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

According to local media, the last state witness testified at today’s hearings, and the lawyers for both defendants said they would address the state’s evidence during closing statements at the final hearing.

Testifying in both hearings today, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Colonel Ibrahim Rasheed said Tholhath had claimed that he would take responsibility for the chief judge’s 22-day detention in Girifushi island.

In Ziyad’s case, the colonel said a special operation was conducted on January 16, 2012, to take the judge into military custody, but said he was unaware of details of the operation.

Both Tholhath and Ziyad declined to present defence witnesses. However, Ziyad’s lawyer requested the opportunity to address the testimony of state’s witnesses as well as documentary evidence during closing arguments.

Closing statements in the trial of former Chief of Defence Forces Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel – currently President Abdulla Yameen’s defence minister – are due to be heard at a hearing scheduled for tonight, after which judges could deliver a verdict at their discretion.

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“Maldivians against brutality” alliance to launch activities tonight

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The newly formed “Maldivians against brutality” alliance is launching its activities at 9:00pm tonight at the artificial beach.

Adhaalath Party (AP) President Sheikh Imran Abdulla made the announcement on behalf of the “national movement” at a press conference this afternoon, but declined to reveal any details of the activities planned for tonight.

Imran said the alliance has formed a 13-member steering committee to plan and oversee its activities, which includes representatives from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP), and NGOs.

MDP Chairperson Ali Waheed claimed that the country’s tourism industry was collapsing as a result of the government’s alleged efforts to “wipe out political opponents,” contending that the Maldives’ international reputation has been tarnished by “politically motivated trials.”

He stressed that the opposition alliance’s protests would take place within bounds of the law

MP Ahmed Mahloof – recently expelled from ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) – meanwhile alleged that Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb was behind the death threats issued via text message to several opposition politicians last year under the name “ISIS.”

He also repeated allegations of corruption against Adeeb, claiming that the PPM deputy leader gifted a US$70,000 BMW car and US$100,000 gold ring to First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim.

Adeeb has denied the allegations, claiming the MP had been bribed to defame him and President Abdulla Yameen.

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Three arrested with ten machetes in Malé

Police arrested three young men and confiscated ten machetes at 3:45am in Malé City’s Henveiru Ward last night.

According to a police statement, Specialist Operations (SO) Officers patrolling the area stopped the young men when they noticed suspicious behavior. The machetes were found nearby.

The three young men included two 19-year-olds and a 15-year-old minor.

The two 19-year-olds had been stopped and searched on numerous occasions previously, the police said.

Street violence is common amongst Malé City’s numerous gangs. On Sunday, a 25-year-old Bangladeshi worker was stabbed to death in the early hours of the morning in Mafaannu Ward.

On February 22, a 24-year-old was stabbed to death outside his home in Malé.

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MP Fayyaz Ismail released

MP Fayyaz Ismail was released last night by the Criminal Court after having been arrested during a protest on March 6.

Most opposition supporters arrested during the protests, including members from the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leadership, had been released earlier on the condition they do not participate in protests for a period of 60 days.

But Fayyaz refused the condition, telling the Criminal Court that the judiciary could not obstruct a right enshrined in the Constitution. The Criminal Court then remanded him for a further 15 days.

According to local media, Fayyaz was taken back to Dhoonidhoo detention center yesterday, though police claimed it was only to pick up some of his belongings.

“The court ordered him to be released. At that point, they cannot take him back to the Dhoonidhoo, even to pick up his belongings. They should not be allowed to act like this,” said MDP Spokesman Imthiyaz Fahmy.

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US$40,000 stolen from Ocean Travels’ office

Over US$40,000 (MVR616, 800) was stolen during a break-in at the offices of Ocean Travels, at the State Trading Organisation trade centre on Thursday night (March 19).

The robbery was reported on Friday night. No arrests have been made yet, the police said.

“They found out their safe was broken into when they opened the office,” said police.

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Deputy Gender Minister resigns over “unacceptable” direction of the government

Deputy Minister for Law and Gender Sidhatha Shareef has resigned, saying she could no longer defend the government’s policies.

The Adhaalath Party member announced her resignation at the party’s offices today (March 22), declaring her support for the opposition alliance’s campaign against brutality and injustice.

“The direction this government is taking leads towards a lot of problems. Since I have worked towards justice and the empowerment of human rights for such a long time, I am unable to accept what is going on now,” said Sidhatha.

Adhaalath Party leaders last week formed an alliance with the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party to bring an end to “the brutality of President Yameen’s regime”.

Speaking at the alliance’s first rally last weekend, AP President Sheikh Imran Abdulla said the current government’s corruption included the jailing of the former President Mohamed Nasheed after an “unfair” trial, the “framing” of former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, the targeting of Jumhooree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim’s businesses, and the “unconstitutional” removal of former Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim and former Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain.

 

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Government targeting Gasim unfairly, says MDP Vice President

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Vice President Mohamed Shifaz told VTV last night that Maldivians should not wait and watch while the government targeted the Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim’s businesses.

Shifaz said that Gasim had contributed greatly to the nation and that he was diligent when it came to paying required taxes to the state.

“If we ignore these things today, there would not be a country tomorrow and the citizens would have nowhere to go and no one to turn to for help,” he told the station, owned by Gasim’s Villa Group.

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) on March 1 ordered Gasim’s Villa Group to pay pay the state US$100 million within 30 days.

Gasim is currently contesting MIRA’s order. The government said Villa owed the state money in rent and fines for several islands and lagoons leased to the company.

Also speaking on VTV yesterday, the JP’s legal secretary, Imad Solih, said that Gasim had received the ‘Ran Laari’ award in 2014, given in recognition of those who pay the highest amount in taxes to the state.

“A single opinion causes the entire degradation of an airport and a simple political stand results in the seizing of assets. Is this justice and equality?” asked Imad.

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Government appeals for cooperation with Independence Day celebrations

The government has appealed for public cooperation for planned events to celebrate the upcoming 50th Independence Day on July 26.

“The celebration of Independence Day should involve everyone. I call on every Maldivian to cooperate with the celebrations,” President’s Office Minister Abdulla Ameen said last week.

A special office was launched on Thursday (March 19) to oversee events planned by the government to mark the golden jubilee of independence.

“The Independence Day celebrations are supervised by the president. The celebrations are carried out with the president’s opinion and advice,” Ameen said at a ceremony after opening the office.

Scheduled events include sky diving, a swimming competition, a bicycle race and a water fountain laser show.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has meanwhile accused the government of using the celebrations as a cover to “rob civil liberty” and “empower gangs.”

“From every event we see the government-backed gangs getting more powerful. There is absolutely no freedom whatsoever for the opposition or its supporters. The government with their minority and the so-called peaceful youths are terrorising every other citizen,” MDP Vice President Mohamed Shifaz told Minivan News.

While the Maldives gained independence working alongside development partners and friendly nations, Shifaz contended that the Maldives was now isolated in the international area.

“We got independence by working together with the rest of the world. But 50 years later with President Yameen’s foreign policy Maldives has been isolated from the rest of the world now,” he said.

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Canada appalled by guilty verdict for Nasheed

Canada is appalled by the Maldives’ prosecution of former President Mohamed Nasheed on terrorism charges, Parliamentary Secretary Deepak Obhrai has said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This verdict goes against the core principles of the Commonwealth, and Canada will continue to call on Maldives to reaffirm its commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Human Rights said.

Nasheed was convicted of terrorism and sentenced to 13 years in jail over the military’s detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in 2012.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and UN Special Rapporteur for Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul last week condemned the apparent lack of due process in Nasheed’s trial.

The rushed trial was marred with several irregularities, including the Criminal Court’s refusal to call defence witnesses, grant Nasheed adequate time to prepare defence and appoint new legal representation when his lawyers resigned half-way through the trial.

“The manner in which the trial was conducted infringes basic and fundamental concepts of due process. The result brings Maldives’ justice system into disrepute and is symptomatic of backsliding in Maldives’ commitment to domestic and international human rights obligations and democratic principles, which is causing growing tensions in the country,” Obhrai said.

President Abdulla Yameen on March 15 called on all parties to respect the Criminal Court’s verdict against Nasheed.

“The government calls on its international partners to engage constructively, based on mutual respect and dialogue in consolidating and strengthening democratic values and institutions in the country,” read the brief statement.

On February 24, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon blasted a February 23 Canadian statement expressing concern over Nasheed’s arrest ahead of the surprise trial.

At the time, Canadian Foreign Minister Rob Nicholson said “the brutal and unjustified treatment of the former president call into question Maldives’ commitment to due process and democratic principles.

Dunya dismissed Nicholson’s statement as “blatantly untrue,” adding: “I don’t think they know what actually is happening here.”

 

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