Commonwealth – Page 7 – Minivan News

CNI draft “embarrassing for the Commonwealth”: MDP spokesperson

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has hit out at the Commonwealth over the work of Singaporean Judge G.P. Selvam, whose initial draft report on the Committee of National Inquiry’s (CNI) findings was yesterday denounced by the opposition party.

The criticism, backed by an MDP resolution, was first raised by former President Nasheed’s representative on the CNI panel, Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed.

“I think it is embarrassing for the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). This is a bad show – it is not worthy of such an institution,” said MDP MP and Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor.

After concerted pressure from the Commonwealth and the MDP to reform the CNI, Selvam – a retired Supreme Court Judge from Singapore – was installed as co-chair of the body charged with investigating the events surrounding former President Nasheed’s resignation on February 7.

The Commonwealth’s Special Envoy to the Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon, released a statement today regarding the report’s scheduled publication on August 30.

“I look forward to the imminent completion of the work of the reconstituted Commission of National Inquiry and to its being able to agree on its report. As we approach the release of that report, I would encourage all stakeholders to respect the commission’s findings, and to take time to reflect carefully on how to act upon them in a manner that maintains harmony in Maldivian society and helps strengthen democratic practice and institutions in the country,” he said.

The changes to the commission also included the addition of a Nasheed nominee Saeed, who yesterday revealed his deep dissatisfaction with Selvam’s initial draft of the body’s report.

“The report that Judge Selvam has drafted and brought is a draft that somewhat refutes or denies what we Maldivians saw and experienced – or a draft that somewhat confuses things, the way it is now,” Saeed told the press.

“While this is happening, for me to stay here, at Muleeage, would I believe be a betrayal of my country and the Maldivian people. I see the draft report as having been written without considering the witness testimony of many, many people to CNI as well as the many scenes we saw,” he added.

Ghafoor, who today described the situation as “unacceptable” and “embarrassing” for the Commonwealth, suggested that Sir Donald McKinnon ought to be asked “who the hell this guy [Selvam] is.”

“Mr Selvam’s integrity is at a critical level,” he claimed. “Yesterday he got caught out.”

McKinnon’s statement today acknowledged that many issues would undoubtedly arise after the report’s release.

“I encourage political leaders to increase their efforts towards engaging in genuine dialogue, in order that consensus may be achieved, in a constructive and peaceful manner, on the path forward,” said McKinnon.

Meanwhile, local television station Raajje TV – linked closely with the MDP – yesterday aired a video of Singaporean-born lawyer and long-time critic of Judge Selvam, Gopalan Nair, in which he describes Selvam as a man “totally devoid of integrity”.

Nair has been writing about Judge Selvam on his ‘Singapore Dissident’ blog since 2010.

Moreover, in January this year, Malaysian media reported that Judge Selvam was accused of lying by chairman of the Malaysian Democratic Action Party (DAP), Karpal Singh.

Singh accused the retired justice of “lying to clear the air on an alleged plagiarism case involving a Malaysian Court of Appeal judge.”

A letter from Selvam to the Malaysian Chief Justice, clarifying that there was no case for plagiarism against the court of appeal judge, reportedly contradicted a statement from Selvam published in the Singaporean Straits Time.

Selvam was quoted as saying that the Malaysian judge had obtained a copy of his judgement through a lawyer, and “copied chunks from me without acknowledging”.

Meanwhile, MDP MP Mohamed Shifaz was also reported in local media as labeling Selvam “Singapore’s Abdullah” in reference to Maldivian Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdullah Mohamed, whose controversial detention earlier this year by the military has been the subject of investigations by numerous independent institutions.

Abdullah was arrested in January, with the former Home Minister Hassan Afeef accusing the judge of having “taken the entire criminal justice system in his fist”.

The incident proved to be a major turning point in anti-government protests against the Nasheed administration, leading to sustained periods of unrest in the run up to the former President’s resignation on February 7.

However, President’s Office spokesman Masood Imad was dismissive of attacks on Selvam’s credibility.

“Selvam is a man of stature chosen by the Commonwealth,” said Masood, who also criticised Saeed’s outburst as “lacking professionalism”.

Masood noted that both Selvam and Saeed had been added to the commission at the MDP’s request.

The MDP’s National Council, yesterday evening, unanimously backed a resolution refusing to accept the report in its current format.

In the evening, the MDP recommenced its campaign of protests, which had been suspended for the final period of Ramazan in order to encourage political negotiations.

In response to questions over rising tension in the country, Ghafoor said that the party was not seeking confrontation.

“We are demanding two things – early elections and an agreement on a post-CNI scenario,” he said.

The MDP forwarded a list of suggested outcomes to the government earlier in the month to which the President’s Office responded that it would not discuss the findings until their official release on August 29.

Ghafoor accused President Waheed of “cunningly destabilising the country” by refusing to make arrangements for the report’s release.

He also said that the party remained hopeful that the commission’s final report would reflect its opinion that President Nasheed was removed in a coup.

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HRCM findings will reflect CNI conclusions on transfer of power: President’s Office

The government will not make “special” preparations to address the findings of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) once they are published next week, claiming it does not expect any “abnormal” outcome from the report that would see its legitimacy questioned.

President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza today told Minivan News that while it did not wish to speculate on the CNI’s outcome before receiving its findings on August 29, the government expected similar conclusions regarding the transfer of power to those of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM).

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has dismissed the government’s claims, adding that the CNI was an independent body, overseen by international partners, and would therefore focus on the “big picture” concerning the power transfer, rather than any individual report.

The HRCM yesterday publicly released several reports around alleged human rights abuses committed in the lead up to February 7, as well as reported violations that occurred once the government of President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan came into power on February 8.

Among some of the key findings of the reports were that former President Nasheed gave “unlawful orders” to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and police officers at the Artificial Beach area on the evening of February 6. The HRCM also concluded that the Maldives Police Service needed to investigate alleged brutality conducted by its own officers after the transfer of power.

The HRCM’s findings are expected to be taken into consideration by the panel currently overseeing the CNI, which includes members appointed by President Waheed and a representative for former President Mohamed Nasheed. Under its reformed composition, the CNI is also co-chaired by retired Singaporean judge Govinda Pannir Selvam. Representatives from the United Nations and the Commonwealth will also advise the CNI’s work.

The CNI was initially established by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan to investigate the details of February’s controversial transfer of power, before having its board reconstituted following international and domestic pressure.

Potential outcomes

With the government expected to receive the CNI’s report on August 29 – a day before it will be released to the public – Abbas Adil Riza said that the President’s Office saw “no need” to devise plans to address the potential outcomes of the CNI.

“The HRCM report has proven what we have always maintained about how this government came to power. We expect similar findings [from the CNI] that the previous chief executive displayed gross negligence and a violation of laws. We don’t expect a different stand,” he claimed. “However, on the basis of the CNI report, we will take necessary actions against any criminal behaviour found to have been committed at the time, should issues be raised.”

Abbas added that elections were therefore still scheduled for July 2013. Both the MDP and the Commonwealth Ministerial Acton Group (CMAG) have called for early elections to be held during 2012 to resolve the increasingly bittier political divide in the country.

With President Waheed expected to travel to Sri Lanka tomorrow for a postponed state visit, Abbas claimed that no discussions regarding the CNI and its outcomes were planned with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa.

He added that the visit would therefore be focused on high-level talks concerning wider bilateral relations and commercial opportunities between the two nations.

“Out of context”

Responding to the release yesterday of the HRCM’s findings, MDP Spokesperson and MP Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said the party’s “experts” were studying the individual reports at present before making comment.

However, on a first glance basis, he accused the HRCM of publishing a “convoluted array of statements” that were additionally “out of context” with wider happenings during the transfer of power.

“The report accuses [former] President Nasheed of issuing unconstitutional orders, the whole thing is out of context and frozen over a 48 hour period,” he said. “At this stage, I would say there are many oversights in these findings.”

Ghafoor added that Abbas’ claims that the CNI would draw a similar conclusion to the HRCM’s findings reflected the position taken by Umar Naseer, Interim Deputy Leader of the government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

On Sunday (August 19), Naseer leaked details of the HRCM’s findings before they had been released publicly, focusing on claims that Nasheed had given “unlawful orders” to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and police officers at the Artificial Beach area on the evening of February 6.

He added that the HRCM report concluded that the MNDF and police officers at the Artificial Beach area were “unlawfully” ordered to leave the area, which led to a breakdown in command and control of the security forces.

The HRCM report was also said by Naseer to conclude that Nasheed’s orders to leave the area violated article 245 of the constitution, by obstructing security forces from fulfilling their lawful duties.

However, Ghafoor added that he was “not concerned” that the HRCM’s findings would lead the CNI to dismiss the MDP’s allegation that it was removed from office in a “coup d’etat”.

He claimed that due to international participation, the CNI, as an independent body, was well placed to view the HRCM report in the wider context of Maldivian politics. Ghafoor claimed that the CNI would be aware of alleged concerns over the conduct of the country’s independent institutions to do their work without political influence.

Ghafoor alleged that during the last three years, the majority of former opposition, now government-aligned, MPs had allowed the country’s independent institutions to be “shielded” from scrutiny concerning the outcomes of their work.

“The HRCM has always been a source of problems concerning independence” he claimed. “You just need to look at its failure to investigate the atrocities committed under the former government [of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom].”

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Nasheed discusses CMAG team’s apparent dismissal of “coup” claims in leaked audio

Local television station DhiTV has leaked an audio clip appearing to involve former President Mohamed Nasheed discussing the opinions of several Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) members concerning February’s transfer of power.

In the recording, Nasheed is alleged to have said that three Commonwealth foreign ministers sent to investigate the controversial power transfer had determined that the events on February 7 did not amount to a coup.

Foreign Ministers from Bangladesh, Barbados and Australia visited the country in February concurrent with the body’s remit to investigate potential violations of the organisation’s political values.

In the clip, Nasheed appears to be recounting his discussions with the CMAG members.

“I asked them, if they decide that that’s what happened, what will I do next? The entire opposition of this country will go to prison,” Nasheed appears to claim in the clip, reported to be an excerpt from a thirty minute-long recording.

MDP spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor told Minivan News that he doubted the clip’s authenticity.

“It’s difficult to believe that Nasheed would talk about it publicly. I feel it is a fabrication,” said Ghafoor.

After sending its investigative team, CMAG announced that it had not been possible to determine the constitutionality of the transfer of power.

The group, therefore, recommended that an independent investigation, with international representation, be conducted.

The Maldives, which since 2009 was a member of CMAG – the Commonwealth’s eight nation watchdog group – was subsequently suspended from the body after being placed on its formal agenda.

Continued pressure for inter-party dialogue and early elections from the Commonwealth led to strong criticism of the organisation from local politicians earlier this year, before resulting in the eventual reconstitution of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI).

The CNI is scheduled to publicly publish its findings on August 30.

Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has suggested that he and his ministers be reinstated should the investigation find evidence that a “coup” had taken place.

The party also promised its acquiescence in the event that the CNI find no evidence of illegal activity whatsoever, a likelihood Nasheed does not anticipate.

Meanwhile, the government, which has steadfastly denied it came to power in a “coup d’etat”, has officially refused to speculate on the possible fallout from the CNI report.

Leaders from the minority leadership party in the Majlis, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), have said that they would challenge any results which disputed the legitimacy of the President Waheed’s unity government.

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International community “aligned” on plans to address Maldives’ instability: MDP

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) representatives have claimed the international community favours pursuing a settlement with the Maldives government to resolve ongoing political instability before next week’s publication of the Commission of National Inquiry’s (CNI’s) findings.

Observing ongoing dialogue between the international community and local political figures, MDP MP and spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor claimed that the opinions of foreign governments on how to resolve the country’s political deadlock were “now aligned” largely with the stance currently held by the Commonwealth.

He claimed additionally that key regional players such as India appeared committed to “negotiating a settlement” on resolving political disputes that have resulted in the breakdown of political talks and the temporary suspension of the country’s parliament over the last month.

While currently travelling, President’s Office Media Secretary Masood Imad told Minivan News by SMS today that there had been no discussions on any settlement with foreign governments regarding potential commitments it would take following the outcome of the CNI.

The CNI was initially established by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan to investigate the details of February’s controversial transfer of power.

The Maldivian government said earlier this month that in the interests of not interfering with the work of the CNI, it would not hold any dialogue on the commission’s findings until its report was published.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed this week told local media that talks had been held with “prominent officials” in the respective government’s of Sri Lanka and India about the MDP’s strategy on how to proceed regarding its calls for early elections following the release of the CNI’s findings.

MDP spokesperson Ghafoor said he was unable to add any further details to Nasheed’s comments, claiming the “bigger picture” of ongoing international discussions reflected a mutual commitment to resolve political deadlock through dialogue and commitments to early elections.

He added that through ongoing dialogue with government representatives, its coalition partners, and the country’s political opposition, international opinion now generally favoured the stance taken by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

“CMAG has reached a binding decision that has called for early elections, an independent investigation into the transfer of power and dialogue between national stakeholders” he said. “This is position we are seeing shared between a number of international partners. “

With just over a week until the CNI releases its findings, Ghafoor alleged that parliamentary representatives within President Waheed’s coalition government had not forwarded any potential resolutions to resolve the stalled political process.

“[The president] must remember that there are ten days to try to come to a resolution and their biggest demand so far is to cease protests, a commitment that we have carried out,” he claimed.

Despite the MDP’s claims of ceasing street protests, President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza claimed on Saturday (August 18) that the “harassment” of state officials by opposition party members was continuing.

Abbas told Minivan New that President Waheed was committed to taking part in roadmap talks between government-aligned parties and the MDP to try and overcome the country’s political deadlock, but only when he was confident the opposition had stopped its alleged harassment.

President Waheed also reiterated to local media over the weekend that the government would not discuss any outcome of the CNI until the body concluded its work later this month.

The CNI is scheduled to publish its report by August 29 on the events leading to Dr Waheed assuming the presidency . The report will first be made available to the authorities and to the Prosecutor General (PG). The public will be given access to the findings on August 30.

Abbas stressed that the government was committed to not “intervene” in the inquiry’s work, as it had been set up, and later amended under international pressure, to operate without state interference.

“The outcome will be respected by the country’s various institutions such as the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Human Rights Commission and the Police Integrity Commission,” he said.

Senior representatives from several government-aligned parties were not available for comment when contacted today about their plans following the publication of the CNI report.

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali and Deputy Leader Ibrahim Shareef both had their phones switched off at the time of press.

Jumhoree Party (JP) MP Abdulla Jabir said he was presently travelling and would contact Minivan News once he returned.

Meanwhile, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Interim Deputy Leader Umar Naseer and MP Ahmed Mahlouf were not answering calls at the time of the press.

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EU concerned over escalating “political tension” while MDP commits to “direct action”

The EU has slammed an “escalation of political tension and violent protests” in the Maldives as police confirmed that 50 people – including a former cabinet minister – were arrested during the last two days during anti-government demonstrations.

However, with the arrest of 32 demonstrators in the last 24 hours, as well as a government decision to clear the MDP’s Usfasgandu protest site by July 30, some opposition figures have claimed the tension will likely intensify further.

Spokesperson for Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said there remained “deep concern” in Europe over the political unrest in the Maldives.

“The High Representative is convinced that continued political unrest, heavy-handed responses by security forces, and charges filed against political leaders will only lead to further deterioration of the political climate in the country and will adversely affect the lives of all Maldivian citizens,” stated the EU.

“The High Representative acknowledges the efforts of the Commonwealth Special Envoy, Sir Don McKinnon, to strengthen the Maldives Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) whose purpose it is to establish an objective account of the events which led to the resignation of President Nasheed and the transfer of power to the present Government on 7 February 2012. She appeals to all parties to refrain from any actions that could jeopardise completion of the Commission of National Inquiry’s work, including legal action against political leaders”.

The calls followed a statement released by the Commonwealth this week urging all parties to show “restraint and restore calm” as initiatives like the reconstituted Commission of National Inquiry (CNI). The CNI, expected to be completed by next month, was established to ascertain the truth between February’s controversial transfer of power.

In a statement released Tuesday (July 17), Commonwealth Secretary General’s Special Envoy to the Maldives, Sir Donald McKinnon called for dialogue among political leaders, urging all parties to show “restraint and restore calm.”

“Direct action”

During the last two weeks, the MDP has been carrying out what it has called “direct action” protests.

While the opposition party has continued to contend that its protests have been “largely peaceful”, the ongoing demonstrations have at times broken out into violent clashes. This violence has led to allegations of police brutality against demonstrators, and counter claims of protesters attacking reporters and security forces.

The MDP today said it expected its protests, stated to continue until the present government of Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan “topples” would continue indefinitely. The MDP alleges that the Waheed administration came to power in February through a “coup d’etat” and therefore had no legitimacy.

Party MP and Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor claimed that the MDP was committed to managing “peaceful, disciplined” protests, though he accepted that violent confrontations appeared to be increasing between police and protesters. He alleged that this violence was a result of law enforcement officials increasingly showing a “lack of discipline” on their part.

The Maldives Police Service has contended that to continues to use “minimum force” to protect its officers during the demonstrations.

Conversely, while police have said that none of its officers were hurt in the last 24 hours – there have been serious and minor injuries sustained by police during attacks by individuals suspected of being affiliated with anti-government demonstrators.

On July 12, an attack around Dhilbahaaru Magu in Male’ saw one officer having to fly to Sri Lanka for treatment for head injuries received from an assault with a pavement brick.

Minivan News has observed protests in recent weeks switching from heckling and mocking of officers at police barricades to violent confrontations as police have charged through protests lines, and demonstrators themselves broke through barricades to confront police.

Police have come under particular criticism by the MDP for using pepper spray directly in the faces of protesters – an accusation denied by law enforcement authorities.

“Maldives Police did not use any excessive force nor was pepper spray directed to anyone’s face,” police said in a statement at the time.

However a video released of the incident showed a riot police officer reaching over a crowd of people surrounding Nasheed and spraying him in the face. Nasheed turns away as the spray hits him, and is taken away by his supporters, but later returned to the protest.

In this environment, the government has itself called for “calm”, urging all political leaders to abandon the street protests, which have attracted international attention over the last few weeks, and sit down for “sincere dialogue”.

President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza was not responding at time of press.

Amid the calls for an end to protests and fresh talks, the Ministry of Housing has issued an ultimatum for the MDP to vacate the Usfasgandu protest area in the next nine days.

Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz claimed the decision to evict the MD from the site was not linked to the current anti-government protests, but rather a reaction to how the opposition had used their land for partisan purposes.

Muiz told Minivan News that the land, which had controversially been leased to the MDP Male’ City Council, an elected body with a majority representation for the opposition party, belonged to the government.

“As far as I’m concerned there is no doubt of the legality [of clearing the site],” he said.

Amidst the current political tension in the capital, Dr Muiz said that the timing of the decision had “nothing to do” with continued protests being carried out by the party.

“We have already handed in our development plans for the area,” he said. “There is a clear mandate of what should have been developed on [Usfasgandu]. The MDP have ignored these rules and have developed it into their own party property.”

MDP MP Ghafoor responded that “there was no doubt” that the Housing Ministry’s decision was in retaliation for continuing its protests in the capital.

“Judging from the current mood of the people, the [housing] minister’s threats will be taken as irrelevant now. People just aren’t listening any more to what they see as a coup government,” he claimed.

Ghafoor also alleged that all ministers aligned with the present government were viewed as having no legitimacy among MDP members, from the State Islamic minister up to President Waheed himself.

However, with international organisations including the UN, the EU and the Commonwealth all calling on politicians to adhere to a peaceful resolution to the nation’s political upheaval, Ghafoor said that protests would continue as previously pledged by the party.

“I do not think the issue here is whether our protests are sustainable, it is more about the fact the whole political situation in this country unsustainable,” he claimed.

Despite the alleged incidence of violence linked to police and protesters alike, Ghafoor contended that the MDP remained committed to “disciplined, peaceful” protests.

“As long as the party keeps the foresight to try and manage protests, we are trying to channel the energy and dissatisfaction of people into something more positive,” he claimed.

Ghafoor conceded that it was apparent that protests were becoming more violent as peoples’ frustrations grew, a sign he claimed that was reflected in the amount of footage and photos of protests that were being found on social media sites like Facebook depicting alleged acts of violence by authorities.

“I think that protests show a direct correlation between the level of oppression and the resultant uprisings,” he added. “If you look at Bahrain , they have lived with repression all their lives, so have we. But we are seeing the kids coming out on the streets to show their anger,” he said.

Ghafoor alleged that police were failing to keep control of the present situation and may be turning to young inexperienced officers to try and control it.

Arrests

More than 50 people are believed to have been arrested during two nights of protests in the capital – 22 were said to have been arrested in the early hours of Friday (July 20) morning, the first day of Ramazan.

Among those arrested were former Transport Minister Adil Saleem, who was detained on Thursday evening but later released under house arrest, according to the MDP.

The MDP also alleged that Saleem had sustained “abdominal injuries” during his arrest as a result of “excessive force” used to detain him by police. Ghafoor claimed that Saleem was eventually taken to Hulhumale’ hospital for treatment, though was advised that he should be transferred to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hosptial (IGMH) in Male’. Police were then reported to have opted against returning the former minister to the capital.

The MDP has also claimed that the protesters who had been arrested were not given food during breakfast whilst being held.

“Legal necessities”

In response to the 32 people confirmed to have been arrested following this morning’s protests, police claimed that detentions were made after repeated warnings to not to cross the police lines and to not to obstruct police duty.

“The protesters who came into the ‘no protesting zone’ claimed that they were there to call for early elections and voice against the government. But the protesters that came into this zone had resorted to using foul language and harassment to the police officers” read the statement.

Following the confrontations, those that were arrested were given the opportunity to breakfast and all other legal necessities were provided to them, according to police.

Among the legal necessities provided to the arrestees were, having a medical check up to see if there is any sort of physical harm caused to the arrestee and providing the opportunity to seek assistance of a legal counsel. The families of the arrested were also contacted.

Police have claimed that among 32 arrested, four were tested positive for drugs. Those tested positive were Ismail Abdulla, Mohamed Sabah, Aishath Laisha Abdullah and Hussain Mufeedh, police said.

Police claimed that Aishath Laisha was the only female arrested in today’s protests.

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Reformed CNI ready to begin work from Thursday: President’s Office

The government has said the reformed Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) will be in a position to officially begin its work from Thursday (June 21) with the arrival to the country of an as-yet unnamed Singaporean judge chosen to co-chair the body.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) continues to allege the government is working to delay reforms to the CNI that have been backed by the Commonwealth, however the government has claimed the commission would start work upon the judge’s arrival.

President’s Office spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza told Minivan News that the entire panel would be in place to begin its work following the arrival of the judge, adding that there had been “no delays” in revising the CNI in line with Commonwealth and international concerns about its impartiality.

“As it stands right now, President Waheed has met with (Former president Nasheed’s nominee) Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed, who will be taking up his position on the panel from Sunday (June 17). He will then have access to the CNI’s findings other and information,” he said. “On June 21, the Singaporean judge will be arriving and work will then start.”

The CNI was established by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan to investigate the controversial transfer of power that took place on February 7. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) claimed that Nasheed was forced out of office in a coup d’etat.

The composition of the panel has since been revised to include a representative of former President Mohamed Nasheed and a retired Singaporean judge, as well as international monitors from both the Commonwealth and UN.

Riza added that the government had been in touch with the Commonwealth regarding the latest developments and said the intergovernmental organisation was “satisfied” with the work being undertaken.

He added that the commission, including the original three member panel of Chair Ismail Shafeeu, Defence Minister under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Dr Ibrahim Yasir and Dr Ali Fawaz Shareef were all ready to begin work.

However, following a tense, but largely peaceful demonstration by MDP supporters yesterday – led by former President Mohamed Nasheed – the party claimed that the government was working to try and “deceive” the international community over commitments to conduct its work. The CNI was expected to have been reformed by June 15.

“Cat and mouse game”

MDP Spokesperson and MP Hamid Abdul Ghafoor alleged today that the president had been playing a “cat and mouse game” with the composition of a reformed CNI. He added that uncertainty remained over whether the three previous CNI members would continue on in their position, or if replacements would be needed.

Ghafoor claimed the government had been responsible for several delays to deadlines set by the Commonwealth to enact changes to the CNI.

“One month on from May 16, we have seen the government delay the appointment of a representative for [former] President Nasheed, now it seems another twenty days could be needed to resolve this current mess,” he said. “This whole saga suggests the president wishes to deceive the international community over the CNI in the hope interest will be lost in the idea of backing early elections. I do not think the MDP is in the mood to tolerate this.”

Hamid added that despite the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group’s (CMAG) having scheduled its next meeting for September, he expected for the Maldives’ political situation and the CNI to be on the agenda of a teleconference held by the group on Wednesday (June 20). CMAG, which is the Commonwealth’s human rights arm, has taken an active role in calling for revisions to the CNI, as well as backing early elections to be held in the country during 2012.

MDP uncertainty

While the government has today said that Ismail Shafeeu will continue to serve as co-chair on the CNI with Dr Ibrahim Yasir and Dr Ali Fawaz Shareef also retaining their positions, the MDP claimed there was uncertainty over what role they may play.

Pointing to the publication this month of a ‘timeline’ of events by the former three-member CNI panel for “finding public opinion” on the transfer of power, Hamid pointed to comments previously made by the panel’s members that their work had now been completed.

The 282-point Dhivehi ‘timeline’ document does not feature any input from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who contested the panel’s impartiality prior to the re-composition. The report begins its findings on the day police attempted to summon Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, to the day the controversial transfer of power took place. The panel conducted interviews with assorted non-MDP participants, however the report does not source its findings.

The MDP have maintained that with the former CNI’s mandate having expired last month, uncertainty remained over whether the panel’s original three members were committed to the revised body or not.

The party has repeatedly called for Shafeeu to be removed, citing his connection to Gayoom, leader of government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). Dr Waheed had previously confirmed he has no intention of changing Shafeeu or two other members during the scheduled reformation.

Nasheed criticisms

Speaking to reporters at Male’ City Hall after voting in the MDP’s internal elections today, former President Mohamed Nasheed said that the government did not wish to reconstitute the CNI despite President Mohamed Waheed’s insistence that the reformed CNI would be able to begin proceedings mid-June.

Responding to questions from the press, Nasheed noted that it was halfway through June and it was still unclear whether former CNI members Dr Ibrahim Yasir, Ali Fawaz and Ismail Shafeeu would remain on the reconstituted commission.

Nasheed accused the government of “deliberately” delaying the reconstitution of the CNI. He added that CMAG was expected to hold a session on the Maldives’ political situation next Wednesday.

“CMAG gave additional time to the Maldivian government to complete the work it asked to be done by May 17,” he explained. “But [the Waheed administration] hasn’t done it. They haven’t constituted the commission.”

Friday demonstration

Aside from the work of the CNI, MDP supporters yesterday continued calls for President Waheed’s resignation and early elections during a protest around the capital that police say resulted in one protester being taken into custody for throwing a bottle at security forces.

The MDP has been protesting around Male’ every Friday during the last few months – with varying numbers of participants – to voice criticisms over the legitimacy of the current government, which it contends came to power in a “coup d’etat”. Former President Nasheed took part in yesterday’s demonstration, which the party claimed saw tense stand off with security forces, despite only one participant being taken into custody.

Hamid said yesterday’s protest also made a point of criticising the “arbitrary arrest” of Chief Superintendent Mohamed Hameed on Thursday, owing to his contribution to the MDP’s own report (Dhivehi) into February’s transfer of power.

Asked whether the high-profile publication of potentially sensitive information in the report could be construable as a criminal offence for those involved, Hamid contended that such as assumption was “based on the grounds that the present government is legitimate.”

Following an MDP national council resolution passed on February 8, 2011 the party agreed treat the transfer of power as an illegitimate act masterminded by members of the coalition government and mutinous sections of the police and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

“All the democratic changes that have been fought for in recent years we are now seeing slip away” he said.

Present at the protest yesterday, Hamid said the demonstrations were in the large part peaceful, even when members of the security forces marched through the gathered crowd.

“I suspect that this may have been done to try and incite the crowd so people might try and attack them,” he said. “A lot of people present did attempt to claw at the security forces, but they managed to pass through the crowd.”

With the former president in attendance at the time, Hamid added that supporters also wanted to keep Nasheed away from security officers, though he stressed that he did not believe police were coming for him.

Hamid also contended that the country’s security forces appeared to be in “disarray” at present, with protesters claiming that some officers were already not receiving salaries due to “bounced cheques”.

“The security forces had hoses, but no one was able or willing to use them on the crowd,” he added.

MNDF response

MNDF spokesperson Major Abdul Raheem said that the military was tasked yesterday specifically to protect a so-called “green zone” in Male’, that includes important structures and areas like the President’s residence and military headquarters.

“There was nothing special about yesterday’s operations. If there are any concerns about illegal activities police can come to us and ask for assistance,” he said.

Major Raheem also denied that there had been any difficulties in providing salaries to MNDF officers.

“I have received no information that payments have not been made to officers,” he added.

“Peaceful” and “calm”

Speaking to Minivan News today, police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef that the protests had proceeded in a generally “peaceful” and “calm” manner.

“One person involved in the protest was taken into custody for throwing a bottle, but they were later released,” he said.

Haneef added that although water hoses were present as a potential means to control crowds, the decision had been taken by police not to use such measures.

“Operationally, we will prepare all the equipment we believe will be necessary [during protests],” he said. “However, the decision was taken that action such as hoses were not needed yesterday.”

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Translation: former CNI’s timeline for events of January 16 to February 7

The following is an unofficial translation of the ‘timeline’ released by the three-member Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) into events that took place January 16 to February 7, prior to the commission’s recomposition following Commonwealth pressure. The credibility of the timeline has been challenged by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who contested the panel’s impartiality prior to the re-composition and refused to participate. The panel conducted interviews with assorted non-MDP participants. The MDP on 10 June 2012 released its own reports on the events.

Translation originally appeared on DhivehiSitee. Republished with permission.

14 January 2012 to 6 February 2012

On 15 January 2012 Criminal Court ordered the release of Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed after Maldives Police Service (MPS) failed to show court any legitimate reason for his arrest
On 16 January 2012 Maldives Police Service summoned Judge Abdulla Mohamed
On January 2012 Chief Judge lodged an appeal at High Court to cancel police summons. High Court ordered an injunction on the summons, until Court reaches a verdict on the appeal.
With the injunction in place, Chief Judge did not arrive at the police station.
The military entered Chief Judge’s home late in the night on 16 January 2012 and brought him under their protection
Ten police officers met with the Police Commissioner on 17 January 2012 saying they were unhappy with unlawful orders being given to them by the government and senior police officers, making it difficult for them to act fairly towards political figures.
Once Chief Judge was arrested, starting from 17 January 2012 , nightly demonstrations were held near the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) by members of the Opposition Coalition. Coalition protesters called for the release of Chief Judge and for the government to return to the Constitution
President Nasheed met with police officers on 18 January 2012. It was a meeting held to reassure members of the police unhappy with the issue of Criminal Court Chief Judge that the arrest was not unlawful. Audio of what the President said during the meeting was leaked. The audio was leaked by the police.
Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner continued to express dissatisfaction with reluctance among Specialist Operations (SO) police to control the protesters.
Two commanders active in controlling protesters were transferred to Bodyguard Training. Three officers stationed in other parts of the country were put under the command of officers in charge of controlling protests.
A team of Maldivian lawyers lodged a case at the International Criminal Court on 23 January 2012 regarding the arrest of the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court.
President Nasheed met with the police on 26 January 2012. He repeated what he said when he met with them on 17 January. An audio recording of the meeting was also leaked
Male’ City Council erected a corrugated iron fence near MMA on 29 January 2012 where the nightly demonstrations were being held, limiting the room for assembly in the area. Police released a statement saying protests were not allowed in the MMA area. They appealed to protesters not to demonstrate in the vicinity and to do so only in empty public spaces.
Vice President met with some leaders of the [Opposition] Coalition on the night of 30 January 2012 at Hilaaleege, his residence. He was asked at the meeting whether he was prepared to carry out his legal responsibilities. He said he was ready to do so. Coalition leaders held a press conference after the meeting to announce their endorsement of the Vice President [for President].
A policeman caught fire on 31 January 2012 when a fireball was thrown at the police during the protests near MMA.

1 February 2012

1 February 2012 Police dispersed the crowds as soon as protests began near MMA.
Following Coalition discussions, protests began at Artificial Beach on 2 February 2012. At the protest, Adhaalath Party leader Imran Abdulla calls for police to arrest President Nasheed within five days [by 8 February].
MDP protesters began a demonstration at Artificial Beach on 4 February 2012 before Coalition began theirs. Coalition protests were held in front of the PPM (Progressive Party of Maldives) Meeting Hall on Boduthakurufaanu Magu.
During protests on 5 February 2012 , Deputy Commissioner ordered SO Commander to remove the live-feed cable strung across Boduthakurufaanu Magu by VTV and DhiTV television stations. The order was not carried out on the basis that it was not a legitimate action without a court order.

6 February 2012

Police Commissioner met with Assistant Police Commissioner Hussein Waheed and told him President Nasheed wishes him to resign as the manner in which he carries out his duties had resulted in a loss of confidence. Assistant Commissioner went home saying he would give his answer within three days.

6 February 2012 (Monday 19:00-20:00hrs)

Police Special Operations (SO) forces came to a state of readiness at the Henveiru Stadium [a few hundred yards from the Artificial Beach] in anticipation of potential events related to protests.

21:00-22:00

As on other nights, Coalition protests began at the Artificial Beach. MDP also began protests in the area.
Two Police SO officers at the Henveiru Stadium went to the area to observe how protests were proceeding. Seeing the atmosphere was not good, police at the Henveiru Stadium went to the Artificial Beach
As protesters on both sides exchanged verbal abuse, police strengthened security in the whole area. They separated protesters into two camps on either side of the stage at the Artificial Beach and inserted two police lines between them.
Police also moved journalists covering the protests live behind the two police lines
On the second consecutive night, SO refused to obey the Deputy Commissioner’s order to remove the broadcast cable being used by VTV and DhiTV to cover the protests saying it was an illegal order and could not be executed without a court order.

22:00-23:00

At the protests Adhaalath Party announces that its National Council had unanimously decided President Nasheed was not a worthy leader and had declared their full support for Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.
It was also said at the protest that as President Nasheed had admitted in the international media to have acted against the Constitution, it was the President, the Home Minister and the Defence Minister that the police should arrest.

23:00-00:00

Home Minister asked Police Commissioner to remove police from the area where protests were being held.
Police Operations chief, dispatched to the scene of the protests by the Commissioner reported back that the atmosphere was not good
When Home Minister asked the Commissioner to remove police from the protest area for a second time, Commissioner told the Minister the atmosphere was not good.
President Nasheed called the Commissioner and ordered the police to be removed from the area
Deputy Commissioner inspected the area on orders from the Commissioner and reported the atmosphere was not good
President Nasheed called the Commissioner a second time and ordered him to remove the police from the area, saying confidence in the police has been lost
As police had to be removed from the area, the Commissioner asked the Male’ Commander of the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) to have the military take over the area
Commissioner ordered Deputy Commissioner and Special Operations head to remove police from the area
Tactical Advisor of the Special Operations objected to removing police from the area. His reasons were that the atmosphere in the area was not good and protesters on both sides were in possession of implements that could be used for violence.
On advice of the Tactical Advisor police refused to leave the area and said they would only leave on arrival of replacements.
Suspending the ‘Journey of Justice’ meeting at the MDP Meeting Hall, a large number of them arrived at the Artificial Beach and joined the MDP protest.
President Nasheed personally called three officers who were not a part of the Operations and ordered them to remove police from the area. These three officers arrived at the Artificial Beach and attempted to remove the police from the area.
When the military officers asked the police to leave the area, the Police Commander said they would not leave unless replacements arrive. President Nasheed phoned the Deputy Commissioner to say he was not adequately carrying out his responsibilities, and asked him to stay at home.
Without consulting with any other party, MNDF Male’ Area Commander decided to deploy the military to assist police operations at the Artificial Beach.
A military platoon and a SWAT team arranged themselves in a line on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, west of the Artificial Beach, away from the protesters.
On orders from the police commander all SO (Special Operations) officers left the Artificial Beach area and headed for the Republic Square.
As the Commissioner’s conscience remained unconvinced that removing police from the area was the right decision, a letter of resignation was ordered. The letter was thus prepared and left on the Commissioner’s table.
President Nasheed assured the [MNDF]Male’ Area Commander that none of the MDP protesters in the area would cause unrest and ordered him to move the military officers from the area [Artificial Beach] to the Headquarters.
On receiving the order from President Nasheed to have his officers removed from the area, the Male’ Area Commander considered the situation and, seeing the atmosphere as uneasy, gave the order for them to move to the Saw Mill area instead of the HQ. He thought they may have to return to the Artificial Beach soon if they left.
Once the military left, protesters on both sides started throwing stones and water bottles. Both sides exchanged dangerous assaults. Some protesters and journalists were injured during the attacks.
On receiving news of the attacks, acting on orders of the Male’ Area Commander, the military returned to the Artificial Beach. They placed themselves between the two sides and controlled the unrest.
When police, who were now at the Republic Square, received news of the violence at the Artificial Beach via police, ‘intelligence’ and the radio, SO police consulted among themselves and set out for the Artificial Beach in their vehicles without waiting for any further orders.
Noise at the Republic Square [directly opposite the military HQ] became so loud, the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner as well as other officers inside the Conference Room ran downstairs.
When they came down some of the vehicles had left the area. Deputy Commissioner and Operations Head tried to stop the remaining vehicles from leaving. The Deputy Commissioner stopped the last truck in the convoy and took away the keys. Some officers who had been in the truck headed to the Artificial Beach on foot. A few police officers stayed at the Republic Square.

7 February 2012 (00:00-01:00hrs)

Coalition alleged on a live television programme that protesters on the two sides had been provoked into a confrontation in order to declare a state of emergency.
Commissioner and an Assistant entered Bandaara Koshi
MNDF Male’ Area Commander told the Ground Commander at the Artificial Beach that the police were arriving there for a confrontation with the military and ordered him to arrest the police.
When police arrived at the scene they did not confront the military. They called on the protesters to leave the area.
Coalition announced that it had finished their protests. However, a large number of Coalition protesters remained on the streets in the area.
Some SOs who went to the Artificial Beach went to the MDP Meeting Hall and caused severe harm to people and property in the area.
A military SWAT squad went to the MDP Meeting Hall area and began manning it
Police returned to the Republic Square, and like all other nights, gathered to fall-in as is customary after Operations are over.
Deputy Commissioner ordered SOs to fall-in on the helipad in the Republic Square. He also ordered the ‘Blues’ to go to the conference hall at the military headquarters.
Police centres Bandaara Koshi and Kalhuthukkalaa Koshi had their alert sirens going.

01:00-02:00

A large number of ‘Blues’ arrive at the Conference Hall on receiving the Deputy Commissioner’s order for the ‘Blues’ to do so.
Six SO Commanders were separated from other officers on orders from the Deputy Commissioner. An officer not part of the command structure encouraged this.
Senior police officers active at the Republic Square called the Commissioner and asked him to come there to meet with the officers present. Commissioner did not agree to the request.
Police left Bandaara Koshi and cordoned off the ‘Green Zone’
On request of the Commissioner, a Deputy Commissioner went inside Bandaara Koshi. The Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Defence Minister consulted and agreed to arrest the SO Commanders.
Defence Minister ordered the military to arrest the police officers identified by the Deputy Commissioner
A ten member squad of military officers left Bandaara Koshi to make the arrests.
The SO Commanders who had been separated from the rest of the officers phoned their friends to say they were going to be arrested and taken to Dhoonidhoo [prison island].
On hearing that SO police were to be arrested, ‘Blues’ in the Conference Hall came and joined them.
At this point, [the] two former SO officers who had been transferred to bodyguard training and an officer from the Academy joined the police and began playing a lead role.
The Commanders who had been isolated went and joined the police gathered on the helipad in the Republic Square.
When the military arrived at the Republic Square to arrest some police officers, all the officers on the helipad stood up and came towards the military to object.
Military ground commander notified Military Operations that making the arrests was difficult.
Glass on the outside of the VTV building was smashed and the inside of the building was set on fire. VTV live feed was interrupted for a brief time.
A large number of people belonging to Coalition gathered on the corner of Orchid Magu and Chandhani Magu to protect the Constitution.
Police cordoned off the Republic Square to stop the public and journalists from entering it.
As the number of police in the Republic Square increased, a military platoon on Ameer Ahmed Magu near Bandaara Koshi was coming to a state of readiness and put on gas masks. There were about 200 police officers at the Republic Square both in uniform and plainclothes.
A meeting resumed at the MDP Meeting Hall. Some members of the MDP Parliamentary Group addressed the meeting.
Police at the Republic Square were heard calling for the resignation of President Nasheed.
The media reported that a large number of police officers had been arrested, numbering up to a 50 at the time. The media also reported that the MDP meeting had maintained it would not leave the Meeting Hall until justice had been established, and also that it had called for a state of emergency to be established.

02:00-03:00

One of the three police officers highly active on the Republic Square began issuing orders to the police with a megaphone. He commanded all police officers at the Republic Square to remain united as one.
A Deputy Commissioner appealed to the police to leave the area voluntarily instead of waiting for the military to remove them. However, the police did not heed the Deputy Commissioner’s advice. When he moved away, the police officers in the area demanded that he promise not to issue any illegal orders. But the Deputy Commissioner responded in a manner that implied that he could not make a false promise.
Coalition protesters began braking the temporary fence erected around the MMA area by the Male’ City Council.
The military ground commanders who had stated that it was difficult to make the police arrests were taken to the Operations Rooms and asked to meet with Generals and senior officers. The Defence Minister presided over this meeting.
Military ground commanders reiterated at the meeting that making the arrests were difficult. The reason given was that when the ‘force ratio’ needed in such an operation was considered, the police far out numbered the military and had the same weapons as the military.
When some senior military officers proposed negotiating with the police, it was approved at the meeting.
Police behind cordons fired gas canisters at Coalition protesters gathered near Reef Side [shop].
Vice President speaking via the media at his residence in Hilaaleege called on the military and the police not to obey any illegal orders.
“Yes! It is also my duty to say something at a time of such national crisis. I support the peaceful activities of the many to protect the country’s constitution and its faith. It is important at this time that all Maldivian institutions especially those of law enforcement to protect and maintain the Constitution and laws. I call upon everyone not to obey an illegal order. In this sorrowful time, I also call upon the Maldivian security services not to leave room for those seeking to dissolve our security and not to allow any harm to be caused to people and their property, especially the media. It saddens me very much that VTV and other places have been damaged tonight. I call upon those who cause such damage to refrain from doing so. I also assure you that I will do everything I can as the Vice President of this country to free us from this dangerous and tragic time. May Allah return our country to a peaceful and secure state. Amen.”
Media reported that it has been said at the MDP Haruge that President Nasheed is in good health.
A large number of Coalition members were gathering near the MMA. Police had cordoned off the area and banned the public from entering it.
The military got ready to disperse the police at the Republic Square. As a first step, a military officers team was sent to negotiate with the police.
The military entered into discussions with about 10 police officers playing a lead role at the Republic Square.
Police said they will only return to work again if the Commissioners guarantees they would not have to obey any illegal orders. Police also asked that no action be taken against the police officers who had partaken in the night’s activities.
The military assured the police they had no intention of a confrontation between them.
During the discussions the military requested police to go to Bandaara Koshi to meet with the Commissioner. The police, however, wanted it to be at the Shaheed Hussein Adam Building [main military headquarters].
The police negotiation team entered Bandaara Koshi for further discussions with their senior officers which concluded in the decision should the police go to Iskandhar Koshi, the Commissioner would meet them. Negotiation team proposed it to the police once outside.
Police arranged themselves in platoons ready to go to Iskandhar Koshi.
When the police started towards Iskandhar Koshi military conveyed an order from the Home Minister that they should leave without weapons and all riot gear.
One of the police officers playing a lead role at Republic Square addressed the police and offered the advice that no police officer should lay down their weapons.
Police decided that since giving up their weapons and riot gear was a precondition for going to Iskandhar School, they would not go.
Military negotiation team said if the condition was not met, they might have to charge.
A military platoon in combat uniform arranged themselves on the eastern side of the Republic Square near the Big Flag.
Although the police came to a state of readiness when the military platoons formed, some senior police officers were meeting with ground commanders and appealing for non-confrontation.
Members of the public gathered at the Republic Square called for President Nasheed’s resignation.

03:00-04:00

The vehicle for jamming mobile signals was near Mulee Aage [President’s official residence]. But the signal jammer in the vehicle had been broken a week previously.
The news spread that the military had ordered that the police phone network be disconnected. But the police continued to call friends and others on their phones.
In a phone interview with the media at 03:15 President Maumoon [President of what?] called on the police and military to obey the laws.
“Yes the news I received. What I am hearing. I am very upset about who did this, and I condemn those who did it. This is private property Also it is a tragedy that Maldivian people’s possessions and lands are being damaged and set on fire. This is very wrong. What I can say is that I condemn this in the loudest voice. Something like this should not be done. I also make the appeal that nobody should do anything to damage anybody’s property or possessions or their lives or bodies. This is our nation. We should not destroy our country with our own hands. We all should obey the laws. Obey Islam. Everybody must according to law. Nobody is exempt. The government has to do the same. The military, the police, the public, parties, everybody should act according to the law. We should all be friendly and resolve this problem and take our country to a safe shore. I would like to say that. Do not set fire to anywhere. Do not do anything you will regret later. Everybody act in the ways that our glorious religion has instructed. Obey our Constitution. Respect our laws. Let’s all unite to save the country. That is what I want to say. What I must say is that it is because the government is acting against the law. Because things are being done against the Constitution and the laws. Especially this judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed was taken from his house in the middle of the night is a major atrocity. Something like that should not be done. I too believe that humans err. If somebody commits an offence, there are ways to deal with in law. The same for offences committed by judges. Therefore, it can be examined through these means. However, contrary to this, uprooting someone without notice while they are at home with their family and planting him elsewhere is a major crime. It is also condemned in religion. And it is condemned in our laws and international laws. It should not be done. I call for his immediate release. I call for his release and for the restoration of all his rights as a human being and as a citizen of the Maldives. I also call upon the government and the security forces to do everything according to the law and Constitution. I have to say what I already said before. To act according to our religion and our Constitution. Act according to the law. As you said, given that I am so far away from the events that are happening in the Maldives it is not easy for me to comment on anyone or anything in particular. Because I do not have the complete information. But, as a peace lover and a lover of all things good for the Maldives and its people and a lover of Maldivian development, I also call upon everyone to act in a way that will develop the country, resolve its conflicts, and bring prosperity to its people. I call upon everyone to refrain from doing anything that would harm someone’s life, property or body.”

04:00-05:00

Police at the Republic Square were appealing to the public not to come into the area where they were stationed.
More people kept coming to the MMA area. Coalition protesters took apart over half the fence erected in the area.
When President Nasheed said he wanted to come to the military headquarters, the military began preparing for it. When the president said he was coming on foot, the Security Co-ordinator dispatched to escort him met the president on the Western corner of the Friday Mosque. In addition to bodyguards, MP for Dhaandhoo Area Mohamed Riyaz was with the president.
When President Nasheed entered the main gates of Bandaara Koshi, he addressed some military officers gathered there and said police out there had mutinied and needed to be arrested. He then went inside and into the Defence Minister’s office.
An additional military platoon came out and arranged themselves in front of the Shaheed Hussein Adam building on the east of the Republic Square.
Military began to warn the police in the Republic Square to vacate the area. Police took up their shields and came to a state of readiness.
The sunrise prayers were called at the time
Coalition protesters brought down completely the fence erected near the MMA area.
When they felled the fence, military fired gas canisters into the crowds to try and control them. But some of them entered the Republic Square. Police were warning the public to stand back.
Police made it clear to the military they were ready for a confrontation. Police were warning the public to be calm and to leave the area.
Some members of the police tried to calm down fellow officers.
At the time MNDF Male’ Area Commander and two other senior officers were at the Square.
The Officer in Charge of the Armoury ordered his subordinates not to handover the keys without his prior permission to anyone, no matter who gives the order.
All bullets used in patrol were confiscated from all military officers on duty.

05:00-06:00

A Minister asked one of the military officers at the gates to arrange for some MDP people coming towards Reef Side to be allowed into the republic Square through the police barricades. A senior officer in the Male’ Area Command said he would make the arrangements and went inside.
The police cordons near MMA were moved forward past the MMA while police cordons near the Reef Side and Islamic Centre junction were moved back towards the Bandaara Koshi.
A number of MDP activists armed with wooden planks and sharp implements arrived in a pick-up truck came through the Islamic Centre lane and entered the Republic Square to confront the police.
Police and Coalition protesters confronted them and pushed them back.
Police ordered the public not to enter into the confrontation between the police and the military. Police assured the public that nothing will go wrong.
Police cordoned off the western side of Republic Square and pushed the public back.
Members of the military carrying shields on the eastern side of the Square pushed back up to Jumhooree Hin’gun
President Nasheed ordered the Commissioner to go to the Republic Square to meet with the police.
It was announced at the Republic Square that the Commissioner will meet the police.
Commissioner left the Bandaar Koshi and went into the Shaeedh Hussein building without meeting with the police.
Police said they would not initiate a confrontation with the military. But said they were ready for a confrontation if the military were to initiate one.
It was announced that the Commissioner would not meet the police in the Republic Square. He ordered the police to go to the Iskandhar Koshi if they wanted to meet him.
Police arranged themselves in platoons with the police in riot gear at the front and they began to pray loudly. Verbal exchanges took place between senior police and military officers.
Military officers who had come out to confront the police and were near the Shaheed Hussein Adam building retreated back into the Bandaara Koshi.
President Nasheed met with the platoon that retreated into the Bandaara Koshi. He asked the commander if he had any reservations in carrying out the order to arrest the police. When he answered in the affirmative, the president replied it was all right for him to stand aside without participating in the Operations. Two other commanders said they too had reservations and stepped aside.
The Minister arranged for a new ground commander.

06:00-07:00

When the Coalition protests were going on at the MMA area, the police had cordoned off the Reef Side area and the Islamic Centre lane.
Members of the public at the Republic Square provided the police with water and food.

07:00-08:00

President Nasheed went for a walk inside Bandaara Koshi. He met and talked with about three groups of military persons during the walk.
Suddenly, without consulting with the military, President Nasheed went to the Republic Square and began addressing the police. In addition to the bodyguards who accompanied him, Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Forces were with him. When he spoke, some MPs were also beside him.
“I am still talking to the Maldivian police. I think you have done something wrong. I accept that given the way things happened you may not have properly realised what you were doing or where you were going. But, it is still my wish that you hand yourselves over to the police station or to the military. I assure you that I will not allow anything bad to happen to you.”
Police refused to accept President Nasheed’s proposal to hand themselves over to the military.
President Nasheed called over to him one of the policemen who he sent over to the military. When he called a second policeman, even though he came over, returned to sit with the police who had started protesting.
When a policeman called for President Nasheed’s resignation, a senior police officer stopped him. When the president began returning to the military headquarters, the police shouted loudly.
En route to the military headquarters, President Nasheed stopped to speak to two MPs where Ameer Ahmed Magu and Jumhooree Magu meet.
Police called on the public to leave and for journalists to stay in a designated area.
President Nasheed returned to the Bandaara Koshi and called many people on the phone.
Some people affiliated with MDP gathered at the Reef Side, calling for traitors to be arrested.
Police left the Republic Square to block all roads leading to the Republic Square.
Police continued to demand that they not be given any unlawful orders. Police were also calling loudly for the public to refrain from joining in the conflict and to stay away from it.
All police were ordered into Bandaara Koshi because President Nasheed wanted to meet with them. Even the police manning the cordons abandoned their posts when ordered into the meeting.
Police entered Bandaara Koshi, removed their gear, and sat down in the area designated for religious sermons.
Police arranged themselves into U-shape lines to the east of the helipad on Republic Square and began reciting their mission [azum] loudly.
As the police were finishing their recital, a group of MDP protesters holding hands approached the police from the back. Police and Coalition protesters confronted them and dispersed them. Several MDP people and police were injured during the attempts to stop the confrontation. Rumours spread among the police that one of their members had been stabbed in the neck with steel rod.
President Nasheed watching the scene from the second floor of Bandaara Koshi came running down, crossed the main gate area and stood on the sports verandah. From there he returned to the main gate area, and on the way stopped at the Officers’ Mess Room and looked inside.
When the noise outside the main gate area of Bandaar Koshi became very loud, members of the military who were waiting to meet with the president ran towards the main gate assuming that people were trying to force their way into the military headquarters.
When the military who were running towards the gate realised that nobody was trying to force their way in, they returned to the building without venturing out. Those who did go out arranged themselves in a line across Ameer Ahmed Magu.
Standing inside the main gates of Bandaara Koshi, President Nasheed kept ordering the military to go out and confront the police. Some ministers and an MP with the president kept repeating his orders. Some military personnel, who had gone out without their gear kept returning inside to collect it.

08:00-09:00

Police approached the military personnel standing across Jumhooree Hin’gun and asked them not to attack them. Some of the military who had come out of the building joined with the police.
While members of the military who had come out began to engage in verbal exchanges with the police instead of preparing for a confrontation, a gas canister was thrown from behind the police near the gates of Bandaara Koshi.
From here onwards police released a lot of gas. A large number of the military and public at Republic Square dispersed from the area as a result. The way the wind was blowing that day, all the gas travelled south towards Bandaar Koshi. Shortly afterwards, the police moved forward spraying tear gas as they approached. The police and the public threw at the military anything they could get their hands on. The confrontation on both sides was intense and the public, military and the police sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Public and the police confronted the military and pushed them back as far as their main headquarters. As the military retreated, they were firing riot guns.
Once most of the military on retreat had entered the headquarters, the main gates were shut. Some members of the military could not get in and had to remain outside.
Police and public were throwing bottles and various other things in the whole area. Chairs and various other household equipment were also thrown onto the streets and into the Bandaara Koshi from within the building.
Windows on the first floor of the military headquarters were opened and shields were distributed to military personnel and the public.
All areas near the Republic Square were brought under police control. The area was under the supervision of the police and the public.
President Nasheed’s wife and two children were moved from Mulee Aage to a safe area by her security detail on her request.

09:00-10:00

Cabinet Secretariat notified all cabinet members via SMS, except Vice President, that the cabinet meeting was on that day. Although the Vice President’s secretariat was aware of the meeting, Dr Waheed did not receive the message. Two senior members of the Vice President’s secretariat did not report for work that day.
En route to the cabinet meeting, president of MDP Ibrahim Didi (Dr Didi) called the president on the phone and discussed how to bring about a resolution to the political turmoil. Dr Didi’s proposal was to talk to all the main political parties and issue a joint statement. President Nasheed agreed to the suggestion.
Dr Didi contacted the leader of DRP [Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party] on the phone and asked him for assistance in issuing a joint statement. Thasmeen replied that he cannot proceed without a sign to do so from President Nasheed.
Parliamentary Leader of PPM Abdulla Yameen was also contacted. Yameen also replied that he could not proceed without a sign from President Nasheed himself. Dr Didi called President Nasheed and conveyed the message.
Dr Didi met with those who attended the cabinet working session at the Izzuddheen Hall at President’s Office and told them discussions were underway, with guidance from President Nasheed, to issue a joint statement from all political parties.
When some Ministers asked why President Nasheed was not present, and objected to such a discussion being chaired by Dr Didi in his absence, Chief of Staff at the President’s Office placed a conference call to the President. The call could be heard by everyone present.
During the discussions between the president and the cabinet one Minister asked why Criminal Court Chief Judge had not been released as previously agreed. President Nasheed replied even that could not be accomplished. When another Minister asked him how he was and how things were at the military headquarters, he replied everything was fine at the headquarters and that he had just had a cup of tea and was lying down resting.
Some ministers left the cabinet meeting then, saying the meeting could not go ahead without President Nasheed.
When the session was over Dr Didi phoned President Nasheed again and asked his opinion on how to continue with the problem of the joint statement, the president told Didi to proceed in consultation with North Machchangolhi MP Mariya Didi and Hinnavaru MP Ibrahim Mohamed Salih (Ibu).
Former Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz and former Deputy Commissioner Mohamed Fayaz had a discussion on the phone from their respective homes about the events at Republic Square and decided to go to the Square. Fayaz had been on the phone with police officers at the Republic Square since the night before, gathering information. Riyza was calling Fayaz and getting updates from him.

10:00-11:00

Mariya Ahmed Didi did not answer the phone, so Dr Didi rang Ibrahim Mohamed Salih who said he will respond after talking to President Nasheed.
When he did not hear from Salih after a while, Dr Didi again phoned President Nasheed who told him that the Indian High Commissioner D.M.Mullay was attending to it and that he would be contacting Dr Didi
High Commissioner Mullay phoned Dr Didi and asked him if he could come to the Indian High Commission (Athireege Aage)
When Dr Didi arrived at the High Commission Abdulla Yameen was already there. Mullay said Ahmed Thasmeen Ali was also to attend the meeting. High Commissioner said he had called Thasmeen and he would make all the administrative arrangements for the meeting once he arrived.
The main purpose of the meeting held at the High Commission was to speak with opposition leaders and secure a three day grace period for the government to try and resolve the conflict.
When Abdulla Yameen questioned Dr Didi’s status at the meeting he said he was there as a representative of President Nasheed at his behest.
Ibrahim Mohamed Salih phoned Yameen and said President Nasheed had decided to resign.
Yameen told Dr Didi, who phoned the president for confirmation. Without giving him an answer, President Nasheed asked Dr Didi to hand the phone over to Yameen. In his conversation with Yameen, he said he had decided to resign and asked Yameen to arrange protection for him and his family. Yameen said he would do everything he can to do so.
Yameen left saying there was no further need for the meeting as President Nasheed had decided to resign.
At the police main headquarters, Shaheed Hussein Adam Building, the police flag was lowered completely and the national flag lowered to half-mast.
The three police officers who had been active at the Artificial Beach area on 6 February 2012 were apprehended and detained within the police station.
Military personnel who were at the gates of their headquarters waved at the police in celebration.
A group of military personnel who wanted to join the police outside asked President Nasheed if the Male’ Area Commander would arrest them if they did so, the president ordered that they should not be arrested.
The military personnel who came from Kalhuthukkalaa Koshi joined the police.
The public and police at Republic Square called for President Nasheed’s resignation.
When a military General advised the president that the only way to stop the police now was to use guns, Nasheed prohibited the use of guns under any circumstances.
Police at the Republic Square warned that the military may open fire at them. They also warned the public to lie down if the military started firing.
Former police officers Mohamed Fayaz and Abdulla Riyaz, with former military officer Mohamed Nazim, went to the main gates of the headquarters. Their wish was that the military did not fire into the police gathered at the Republic Square. The military demanded from them [the three men] to push back the police at the gates of their headquarters.
Mohamed Fayaz spoke to the police gathered at the Republic Square and persuaded them to go back as far as the Shaheed Hussein Building and emptied the area near the gates of Bandaara Koshi.
Fayaz appealed to the military very loudly not to use any lethal weapons. A military general asked Fayaz to get the police to renew their oath. Fayaz replied that it could not be done in such a situation.
Fayaz proposed that the three branches of government discuss and find a resolution to the problem of the police gathered at the Republic Square. He made the proposal, while standing outside the gates of the headquarters, to the Chief of Defence Force and generals inside. With this proposal police made efforts to bring the Speaker of the Parliament and Chief Justice to the area.
Fayaz went into the crowds gathered at the republic Square with a megaphone and addressed them to explain his proposal and to calm the crowd down.
Police were unsuccessful in their attempts to bring the Speaker of the Parliament and Chief Justice to the area.
A Chief Inspector at the main headquarters of the police was brought out to be sent home as a protective measure. However, when he refused, he was taken to Ghaazee Building. As he was being taken to a speedboat to carry him to Dhoonishoo [prison island], as a protective measure, police and members of the public attacked him.
Deputy Commissioner and some senior officials were taken out of Male’ on police speedboats.

10:00-11:00

Abdulla Riyaz and Mohamed Nazim entered Bandaara Koshi on invitation from Defence Minister. When Nazim entered the premises a large number of military personnel greeted him and celebrated.
Riyaz and Nazim met with the Defence Minister. In addition to the Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Force, generals and Staff Officer were also present at the meeting.
Media reports reported members of the public at the Republic Square as saying President Nasheed had been arrested.
When Qaumee Party leader Dr Hassan Saeed received news that Indian military were arriving to help resolve the situation, he clarified the news from the Indian High Commission. Deputy leader of the Qaumee Party announced to the public at the Republic Square that Dr Hassan Saeed had received assurances from the Indian High Commission that Indian military will not be coming to the Maldives.
Led by the Qaumee Party, two members of the public filed a case at the Supreme Court in relation to President Nasheed’s legal status.
After Abdulla Riyaz and Nazim conducted their negotiations inside Bandaara Koshi, Nazim emerged to address the Republic Square. He said he had made two proposals.
“Assalaam alaikum. I hope everybody is okay. Yes, I have just met with the Defence Minister and all high-ranking military personnel and made a proposal of ours. The proposal was that the President should resign without condition. And, after that, to transfer all powers to the Vice President. Our second condition was that the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Faseeh and both his deputies resign at once. We told them these are non-negotiable conditions. These are not things up for further discussion. We assure the beloved Maldivians, military and police who are with us that, God willing, these things will happen this way by the deadline we have set for 1:30 today. When I entered the military headquarters I was given a very happy scene. Everyone within the military lifted me up and very completely revealed their support for me. God willing, things will happen today as we want. I ask the military, police and people to patiently remain with us.”
Some former police and military personnel were operating in the Republic Square.
Police started patrolling different areas of Male’.
Assistant Police Commissioner Hussein Waheed, who had previously been asked to resign, was brought back to the main police headquarters in a police van. When he arrived, he met with some of the political figures in the Coalition waiting there in anticipation of the arrival of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court in Male’.
President Nasheed came down to the yard in the military headquarters and met with some military personnel of other ranks and asked their opinion on what he should do next. He addressed a particular person within the group, who replied that he should resign. President Nasheed replied that it was the response of only one person and asked if others in the group shared the opinion. They all lifted their arms up in agreement. Although Chief of Staff and military generals and other officers were present, they did not partake in the interaction.
It was announced at the Republic Square that President Nasheed had decided to resign and that the resignation will be at the President’s Office in front of the media. Members of the public began to celebrate at the Republic Square when they heard the news.
Nazim appealed to the people gathered not to harm the President on his way to the Office.
President Nasheed wanted to walk to the Office to resign [only a few metres away] and even though he said nobody would harm him, the military was of the opinion that it would be risky and refused.
Speaker of the Parliament released a statement regarding the unrest in Male’:
“The Maldivian nation is currently facing a frightening and tragic situation. I appeal to all the people of the Maldives and to its institutions to wholly obey the Constitution and the laws of the land. I also call upon all the people and institutions not to engage in any unlawful activities under any circumstances. All citizens should remain friendly and calm, and give priority to peace. What we are seeing today is not something that anyone of us want to see on our beloved land. None of us want people to damage the life and property of others or the property of the state. We should always remember that we are people steadfast in our Islamic faith and call upon you to maintain our sense of brotherhood as instructed in the religion. My prayer is that this country will always remain safe and peaceful.”

12:00-01:00

Chief Judge of the Criminal Court was brought to Male’ in a police speedboat.
Media arrived for a press conference at the President’s Office on their invitation
President Nasheed arrived at the President’s Office in a car. The military were around the car, maintaining security. But the street hit the car on the back a few times and a cigarette butt was thrown at the front of it. A large number of people from the general public were shouting loudly at the time. Some people were shouting filth.
Nazim and Fayaz went into the President’s Office ahead of the car in which the President was travelling. Following behind the car were the President’s SPG, Chief of Defence Force and Military Operations Commander.
When the car arrived at the President’s Office, the President went up the lift designated for him. With him were the Defence Minister, Security Co-ordinator and bodyguard.
Before getting into the lift, President Nasheed instructed a member of staff to show Nazim, Fayaz and Abdulla Riyaz to a comfortable place.
Off the lift, the President went to his room (Utheemu Room). He was alone.
He then went to Siththimaavaa Maalam to meet with the cabinet. Normally, cabinet meetings are held at Izzuddheen Maalam.
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Minister of Education, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Minister of Human Resources, Youth and Sports, Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Home Affairs,
Minister of Defence and National Security, Minister of Finance, Minister of Transport and Communication, Special Envoy to the President, Chief of Staff at the President’s Office, and Cabinet Secretary were in attendance.
At the meeting the President said he had to resign and gave his reasons. He said under the circumstances he saw it best to resign.
A Minister disagreed. Another suggested that he negotiates with the people gathered. And another proposed seeking external assistance. President Nasheed indicated that he did not see negotiations were possible given the situation at Republic Square, and said there was nothing else to do except resign.
Having concluded the cabinet meeting, en route to Dharumavantha Maalam where the press conference was to be held, President Nasheed stopped at Ghaazee Maalam. The Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff accompanied him.
While he was at the Ghaazee Maalam, Nazim, Fayaz and Riyaz also came in.
Nazim told President Nasheed that Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid had enquired after the resignation letter President Nasheed was sending to the Majlis.
President Nasheed asked the Cabinet Secretary about the resignation letter who replied that it had not yet been prepared. The president asked him to bring a pen and paper. When the President’s official Letterhead paper and a pen were brought, President Nasheed wrote the resignation letter in his own hand and signed it. He was standing at a podium in the room.
Having written the resignation letter President Nasheed went into Dharumavantha Maalam for the press conference. Nazim, Riyaz and Fayaz followed him into the room.
President Nasheed announced his resignation himself, in the presence of the cabinet members, in front of the media, live, at 12:57 p.m.
“Beloved citizens of the Maldives. I see that if I were to continue as President of the Maldives a lot of harm may befall Maldivians and the Maldives. Therefore, as of today, I am resigning from the post of the President of the Maldives. I have never wanted to rule by force. I came to this decision because, in my opinion, I sincerely believe, that if this government is to be maintained, it would require the use of extreme force and cause harm to a lot of citizens. Also, in my opinion, if attempts are to be made to maintain this government, it is very likely that the Maldives will become susceptible to foreign influences. I have always wished the best for Maldivians and will continue to do so in the future. I have made the decision today to resign for the benefit of Maldivians, with sincere respect and keeping in mind the high levels of support Maldivians have shown me. I hope that Maldivians will see a more prosperous tomorrow and I pray our lives will be good now and in the hereafter.”

13:00-14:00

Abdulla Riyaz asked the Cabinet Secretary if the resignation letter President Nasheed wrote had been sent. When he replied that the letter was in Dispatch, Riyaz and Fayaz collected the letter from the Dispatch to take it to the Majlis. When Dispatch handed the letter over to Riyaz he was instructed to fill out a receipt and return it.
Police Commissioner signed his resignation letter at the main police headquarters.
After announcing his resignation, President Nasheed went up to the fifth floor of the President’s Office and met and greeted some members of staff.
President Nasheed said he wanted to return to his official residence Mulee Aage on foot, and did so.
Before he left, the military arranged a three-line strong cordon to reinforce security in the area.
Riyaz and Nazim accompanied President Nasheed. Riyaz had the President’s resignation letter in his hand at the time.
When President Nasheed went into Mulee Aage, Riyaz went to the main police headquarters and handed over the resignation letter to a police officer to take it to the Majlis. He also asked him to fill out the receipt and return it to the President’s Office once the letter had been received at the Majlis.
Speaker of the Parliament received President Nasheed’s resignation letter at 13:43
The police officer who delivered the letter to the Majlis returned to the main police headquarters with the receipt of delivery, which was then sent to the President’s Office.

14:00-15:00

President Nasheed requested to go to his own home from the official residence of Mulee Aage. The Security Co-ordinator, via the Bodyguard, told President Nasheed to wait at Mulee Aage until security arrangements were put in place for him to make the move. The Co-ordinator made the request for time because he had not discussed with senior military officers and received the security clearance.
Police revealed in the media that no senior officials of President Nasheed’s government were allowed to leave the country.

15:00-16:00

Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik took the oath of office as President at the administrative office of the Majlis. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussein in the presence of the Speaker of Majlis.
“I do swear in the name of Almighty Allah that I will respect the religion of Islam, that I will uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and the fundamental rights of the Maldivian citizens, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Maldives, and will discharge the duties and responsibilities of the office of President honestly and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Maldives.”

18:00-19:00

As he had repeatedly requested, arrangements were made for President Nasheed to return to Kenereege [his family home]. He left Mulee Aage through the southern gate and went to Kenereege accompanied by Security Co-ordinator, the military, and bodyguards.Inside MNBC One 7 February 2012, Tuesday
MNBC One continued their transmissions throughout the night of 6 February 2012. In addition to showing the meeting being held at the MDP Haruge, some senior official’s in Nasheed’s administration were on, speaking in support of the government. In between, they also broadcast patriotic songs about the military.
Coalition members at the Republic Square expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that none of the unrest there was being shown on MNBC One.

06:00-09:00

Some political figures who support the government said, in a live programme shown on MNBC One, that President Nasheed was safe, and that the events involving the police were the work of a few. While this programme was being shown, the ticker at the bottom of the screen said: ‘Unsuccessful coup”.
A large number of MDP activists were seen active near the MNBC One and the MDP Meeting Hall.

09:00-10:00

After discussions among senior executives at MNBC One, to protect itself from potential attacks from a public dissatisfied with lack of proper information, and after discussions with senior VTV executives, a decision was made to broadcast a clean-feed from VTV.
MNBC One was not providing sufficient information to the public, so Adhaalath Party’s Sheikh Imran Abdulla arrived at MNBC One to rectify the situation. He was sent away by MDP activists in the front yard of MNBC One.
When Sheikh Imran was sent away from MNBC One he called a senior police officer at the Republic Square and asked them to send police over to MNBC One.
When the live programmes on MNBC One was interrupted, Ali Waheed (Silverscene) [President Waheed’s brother] went over to MNBC One to check what was happening. When he was sent away from MNBC One by MDP activists in the yard, he lingered outside for a while and went home.

10:00-11:00

When a police team arrived at MNBC One, some MDP activists started attacking them with stones and wooden planks. When this happened, the senior officer in the team phoned an officer at Republic Square and told him that MNBC One could not be approached without reinforcements.
When police and military arrived at MNBC One in a truck, MDP activists attacked them.
More police and military arrived at MNBC One, sprayed tear gas, and dispersed the MDP activists.
MNBC One began broadcasting VTV live-feed of the events at Republic Square.
Police and military were unsuccessful in their attempts to open the main gate of MNBC One, which was locked. They fired a riot gun at the gate but it did not open until after the lock was shaken about and broken.
Some Coalition activists also entered MNBC One with the police and military.
Police and military went to the MDP Meeting Hall and caused great destruction.
Police entered the administration area of MNBC One, and led all members of staff there into Studio Three
The military who accompanied the police MNBC One went into Studio Three and assured them that no staff was in danger, and told them to continue with their jobs. They also said that if any member of staff felt they were in danger, the military would ensure their safe passage home.
Some MNBC One staff were taken home under military protection.
Some members of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission were active within MNBC One.
The name of MNBC One was changed to Television Maldives and it continued broadcasting with the TVM logo.
Ali Waheed went to MNBC One a second time and waited in the yard. When he heard of President Nasheed’s resignation, he went into MNBC One to see how things were going.
Once President Waheed took oath of office he instructed [Ali] Waheed to take over TV. He notified the staff, and did so.

Inside the Police Headquarters (7 February, Tuesday 10:00-13:00)

With the police gathering at Republic Square, senior police officers who felt the leadership of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners were not up to par, held a meeting. They discussed the most suitable person to temporarily take over police leadership. It was also said seeking the Commissioner’s opinion was a good idea and it was suggested he should be invited to the meeting.
Two senior police officers met with Commissioner Faseeh. They questioned him about how he intended to deal with the situation. They also provided the information that President Nasheed was resigning. The Commissioner replied he had decided a long time ago to resign.
The two officers informed the Commissioner they were meeting in the conference room and told him they would like him to attend. They returned to the meeting.
The most senior officer present at the time, Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Sadiq, was proposed and supported as the person to take over the leadership temporarily. Sadiq, however, refused.
When all other senior officers refused to take over, after a vote, it was decided that Chief Inspector Abdulla Fairoosh will take over as interim leader of the Maldives Police Service.
As the meeting concluded, the Commissioner arrived and told them to serve without political influence and advised them to do everything right. He shook hands with the officers and returned to his office.
It was announced at the Republic Square that Abdulla Fairoosh had been given leadership of the police.
When senior police officers advised him that he should give a press conference and that he should be in official dress when he does so, Fairoosh went home to put it on.
Inside the police headquarters he met with the media and went into the crowds gathered to announce he had taken over the police.
On request of senior political figures of the Coalition, senior police officers met with them in a conference room on the fifth floor of the police headquarters. Police requested that political parties do not interfere with police business. They also requested that supporters of political figures be kept off the streets. While the meeting was going on, President Nasheed phoned the leader of DRP and told him of his intention to resign. The DRP leader conveyed the message to the meeting.
Among the people who attended the meeting were DRP leader, PPM Parliamentary Group leader, and senior members of the Coalition.
The meeting was concluded when the political leaders went to meet and greet Chief Criminal Court Judge who was being brought back to Male’. The political leaders who were at the meeting met with Chief Judge at a lounge on the ground floor of the police headquarters.

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Former Inquiry Commission’s release of timeline “blatant attempt to conceal truth by pre-empting impartial inquiry”: MDP

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the former three-member Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) after it yesterday released a ‘timeline of events’, calling it a “blatant attempt to conceal the truth by pre-empting an impartial inquiry.”

The initial three-member panel was appointed by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan to investigate the controversial circumstances that brought him to power. It was boycotted by the ousted MDP, who contended that its members had been appointed by those it was accusing, and it was not credible or impartial.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and civil society groups concurred, and pressured the government to reconstitute the commission to include a nominee representing former President Mohamed Nasheed, a retired foreign judge, and UN and Commonwealth monitors. Earlier this week the government announced it had accepted the 13th nominee proposed by Nasheed, Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed.

However yesterday the three-member panel released a 282-point ‘timeline of events’, for the stated purpose of “asking for public opinion”.

“It is unacceptable that a committee that has been discredited by the civil society, members of the public and the international community should proceed to make public its findings, ahead of the commencement of the work of a restructured commission,” said MDP’s Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, in a statement on Thursday.

“It is incomplete, biased and reveals the malicious intent of the Commission,” he said, adding that neither former President Nasheed nor any MDP member had given testimony to the commission before it released its findings.

The agreement for a restructured commission was brokered by the Commonwealth’s Special Envoy to the Maldives, Sir Donald Mackinnon, “just two days ago”, Ghafoor noted, a move praised in public statements by the UN, Commonwealth and the UK Foreign Office at the time.

“The publication of the findings of the commission is a blatant attempt by the government to pervert the course of justice. This is in flagrant disregard for the appeals of the international community, including the CMAG, which had demanded that the composition of the Committee be changed to make it impartial, independent, credible and more broadly acceptable,” Ghafoor said.

“This conduct by the current Commission is further confirmation that the real mandate of this Commission is to conceal the truth and absolve the perpetrators of the coup from guilt.”

President’s Office Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza said the CNI was entitled to ask for public support, “and the government has no views about it, as the commission is independent.”

“We see no wrong-doing in [the commission] requesting public support,” Riza told Minivan News. “The government’s view is that the inquiry is fully independent and that it can ask for help where it wishes.”

Asked whether canvassing public opinion was in the commission’s mandate when it was set up, Riza stated that the commission had a mandate to “find the facts from January 14 to February 7”.

At to whether the timeline was relevant, given that the reconstituted commission would presumably be starting from scratch, Riza said “it is up to the commission to determine that.”

Attorney General Azima Shukoor meanwhile today told local media that administrative work had begun to formulate the new CNI.

Shukoor told local newspaper Haveeru that the new commission needed to be established by a new presidential decree, which was currently being drafted in time for President Mohamed Waheed’s return from the UK.

She also said that work is being carried out drafting the procedures and principles of the commission, as well as the code of conduct for the commission members with advice of senior members of the commission. Shukoor also said that the three-member panel had taken not wage or allowances for the work they had done up until now.

Minivan News was awaiting a response from the Commonwealth at time of press.

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Government to accept Nasheed’s nominee to CNI

The government has accepted ousted former President Mohamed Nasheed’s nominee for the Commission on National Inquiry (CNI), according to reports in local media.

The government confirmed its acceptance of Nasheed’s nominee, Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed, who was formerly both Principal of ‘Ahmadiyya School’ and Deputy Principal of the British College of Sri Lanka.

“The Government made the decision to accept Mr Saeed’s name to demonstrate its seriousness in allowing the CoNI to continue with the inquiry in a genuinely independent and impartial fashion, and to complete the inquiry in a timely manner, as stipulated in the commitment signed with Sir Donald [McKinnon] on 15 May,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

President Mohamed Waheed Hassan confirmed prior to his departure to the UK this morning that the government had accepted the nominee proposed by Nasheed.

Waheed said that despite “certain reservations”, Nasheed’s latest nominee was “a good person” and that he hoped the CNI would proceed with its duties with the inclusion of the nominee.

The government previously accepted Manaal Shihab, the daughter of former Finance Minister Mohamed Shihab, however Nasheed had reportedly withdrawn his nominee at the time of the announcement and the confusion led to a statement from the Commonwealth that no nominee had yet been approved.

“Nasheed had proposed her name without proper consultation from his party,” Waheed alleged. “That is why we shall not disclose the name of the nominee yet, because something like that may happen again,” he said.

Asked about his reservations, Waheed stated that the latest nominee had “said certain things” regarding the transfer of power of February 7, but that he and the government were looking to proceed without much of an issue out of it.

“We do not intend to reject the name. We want to proceed with the commission,” he said.

Waheed further stated that Nasheed’s proposed name had been forwarded to the Commonwealth, which was expecting the say on the proposal.

Minivan News tried contacting Ahmed ‘Gahaa’ Saeed to confirm the appointment, but he did not respond at time of press.

MDP Spokesperson MP Hamid Abdul Ghafoor declined to comment on the matter, claiming that it was not the policy of the party to reveal the names to the media until the government officially did so.

Ismail Shafeeu will not be removed from the CNI

While the government appears to have accepted Nasheed’s nominee to the CNI, it has refused to remove CNI Chairman Ismail Shafeeu.

Shafeeu was the former Minister of Defence and National Security under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He was also Minister of Home Affairs during the time when the custodial death of Evan Naseem took place, a key moment in Maldivian political history that led to an uprising against Gayoom and the introduction of multiparty democracy.

Former President Nasheed and the MDP had raised doubts over Shafeeu’s impartiality and his role in the CNI.

Speaking to the press on the occasion to mark 100 days of Waheed’s government after he came to power on February 7, Nasheed said that Shafeeu did not fit the criteria imposed on his own nominee.

He expressed concern that Shafeeu was still on the panel despite an expectation that he would be replaced by the current facilitator of the All Party Talks, Ahmed Mujthaba.

Waheed disputed Nasheed’s assessment of Shafeeu, stating that he would remove Shafeeu as he was “capable and qualified”.

“His integrity and impartiality can be only questioned after close observation of his work at the commission,” said Waheed.

Waheed also reiterated that the government had agreed to revise the commission membership in consultation with the Commonwealth, with the appointment of a retired Singaporean Judge and a representative from former President Nasheed as agreed.

MDP’s Spokesperson Ghafoor has said Shafeeu’s impartiality was not as much of an issue for the MDP following the inclusion of an MDP representative on the panel, adding that the party had compromised during the negotiations.

The appointment of a nominee would be a “good achievement” despite the of barriers and complications set in place by the government to disqualify names proposed by Nasheed, Ghafoor said.

He said that while the Commonwealth had the “moral authority” to impose qualification requirements on the nominees, the government did not, as it was itself the subject under the investigation.

“I just don’t think one can give up the impression that the government is actually helping to resolve the situation here,” he said.

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