Tag: maldives news

Businesses need an “economic tsar” or a “tyrant” to succeed, says President Yameen

An “economic tsar” or a “tyrant” is essential for a business to succeed, President Abdulla Yameen said at a ceremony held last night to celebrate local investment company Alia’s 50th anniversary.

While business decisions are made in boardrooms after considering social factors, President Yameen said economic decisions should be taken by “someone with an economic mindset.”

“Success for a business is to have an economic tsar or an economic tyrant leading it,” said Yameen, addressing Alia’s senior management.

Alia Group has remained successful for so long because it is a “strong family business,” Yameen suggested.

“There cannot be many owners in a business. Businesses will get suggestions from the board, but when it comes to decisions, if there is one person who makes the decisions, it is more efficient,” he added.

Alia – founded by the late Ali Abdulla, father of former first lady Laila Ibrahim – started out in the early 1960s as Alia carpentry, before expanding into the construction industry.

Ten years later, the company reached an agreement with Yamaha, and introduced the Yamaha outboard engine to the Maldives, still being widely used in the transportation industry.

President Yameen praised Ali Abdulla for his vision and forward thinking, adding that under his management Alia had transformed the construction industry whilst revolutionising sea transportation with the introduction of the Yamaha engine.

Economy and investments

Yameen went on to say that the government is aiming toward increasing the rate of economic growth in the Maldives.

“The GDP growth this year is estimated at eight percent or higher,” he said.

“This growth, when compared to other countries and our close neighbour’s sluggish two to three percent growth, is a very vibrant economic situation.”

Last year, the government enacted its its flagship Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Act, which President Yameen’s administration insists would attract large scale foreign direct investments.

While the government forecasts it will receive US$ 100 million as acquisition fees for the SEZs by August 2015, the opposition has criticised the lack of significant foreign investments despite assurances from the government.

Last night, Yameen said peace and stability in the Maldives together with the government’s policies would spark interest from potential foreign investors.

“If we are able to grab the attention of the investors, and with the current direction of the economy, there will be big infrastructure projects in the future,” said Yameen.

Such investments would provide opportunities for local construction companies and create employment opportunities for the youth, he said.

“Sovereign guarantee”

President Yameen last night reiterated the government’s pledge to provide sovereign guarantees on loans to develop new resorts, noting that that the tourism industry offers “lucrative” employment opportunities for youth.

The economy does not benefit if resort development on islands leased by the government remains stalled for eight or 12 years, Yameen said.

“The rent for the islands might go into MIRA [Maldives Inland Revenue Authority],” he continued.

“However, the opportunity cost of the eight years is much higher. Imagine the amount of dollars which would cumulate and roll through the resort if it had been developed.”

Last year, the cabinet’s economic council announced plans to remove import duty on construction material needed for the refurbishments of resorts, in order to stimulate resort development.

Correction: This article previously identified Alia’s founder as Ali Ibrahim. This is incorrect. Alia was founded by Ali Abdulla.

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Adhaalth Party meets President Yameen to share concerns with political situation

Religious conservative Adhaalath Party met President Abdulla Yameen today to share the party’s concerns regarding the current political situation in the Maldives.

Speaking to reporters after the two-hour long meeting at the President’s Office, Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla refused to reveal the concerns shared with the president at the meeting, where Adhaalath leadership members including Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem and the party’s Vice President Dr Mauroof Hussein also took part.

Imran has been critical of the government on social media regarding the criminal prosecutions of former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim.

In a tweet following today’s meeting, Imran assured that the Adhaalath Party would not make a “financial deal”.

“I am certain before and now as well that Nazim was framed,” he tweeted.

In previous tweets, Imran said former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom should be “ashamed” of the government’s treatment of Gasim Ibrahim as the Jumhooree Party (JP) leader decided to back President Yameen in the 2013 presidential election run-off after Gayoom “pleaded” with Gasim.

After yesterday’s presidential address – delivered in the face of protests by opposition MPs – Imran tweeted: “President Yameen is now feeling the bitterness of dissolving of the coalition that brought [him] to power.”

A day before Imran tweeted: “Adhaalath Party will come out to protest when there’s no other way.”

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MDA MP withdraws constitutional amendment on 65-year age limit to contest for presidency

Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) MP Mohamed Ismail has withdrawn an amendment to the constitution that would have barred Jumhooree Party (JP) Leader Gasim Ibrahim from contesting the presidency in 2018.

The move comes after Gasim met ‘Champa’ Mohamed Moosa ‘Uchchu’ and Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb at Moosa’s residence around 11pm last night.

The amendment proposed adding an age limit of 65 among the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates. Gasim would be 66 years of age in 2018.

“I withdrew the amendment today respecting the leaders of the ruling party’s request to remove the bill. I also thought that it would be in the best interest of the country at this time that I withdraw it,” Mohamed Ismail told Minivan News.

However, as a three quarters majority of the total membership of the People’s Majlis is required to amend the constitution, the votes of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs or JPs would be needed to reach the required 63 votes.

Adeeb – also deputy leader of the PPM – has confirmed on social media that the meeting took place.

“My meeting with honorable Gasim and honorable Uchu is confidential, so no comments to what we agreed or discussed,” he tweeted.

After news of the meeting was reported by local media, a small group of protesters greeted Gasim when he emerged from the meeting. “President [Mohamed] Nasheed is in jail,” they screamed.

Gasim told reporters after the meeting that the discussion was “about the political environment.”

The JP issued a press release this morning stating that Gasim’s meeting with Champa Moosa was a meeting “between friends”.

“As the two are businessmen, discussions concerning business also took place,” the press release stated.

The JP claimed that Adeeb arrived at Champa’s residence while the meeting with Gasim was ongoing.

Gasim told Adeeb to ask President Abdulla Yameen to withdraw “politically motivated” charges against former President Nasheed and former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, the JP said.

Gasim’s JP formed an alliance with MDP in February and launched nightly protests against the government’s alleged breaches of the constitution. Since former President Nasheed’s arrest, Gasim has called on Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin to withdraw charges against the opposition leader and ex-defence minister in the interests of peace and stability.

The government has since seized several properties leased to Gasim’s Villa Group for alleged agreement violations. Last week, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) gave a 30-day notice to Villa Group to pay US$100 million allegedly owed as unpaid rent and fines.

Moreover, at the first hearing of Nazim’s trial last week, State Prosecutor Adam Arif said documents on a pen drive confiscated from the then-defence minister’s apartment showed he was planning individual and joint operations, financed by the Villa Group, to cause bodily harm to “senior honourable state officials.”

Despite the JP’s claims to the contrary, local media reported last night – citing confidential sources – that Gasim asked Adeeb to withdraw the constitutional amendment and the pair discussed MIRA’s 30-day notice to Villa Group.

Gasim was also criticised by opposition supporters when he failed to return to the Maldives as promised ahead the MDP-JP mass rally on February 27. Gasim went to Colombo to brief diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka and claimed he could not return for the rally due to an appointment the following day with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

“As in the agreement between JP and MDP, Gasim will work to free former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim,” the JP insisted in its press release.

Related to this story

Villa Group ordered to pay US$100 million in 30 days

JP Leader Gasim meets Sri Lankan President Sirisena

10,000 protest in Malé, call for President Yameen’s resignation

Allegations of conspiracy with Nazim “deliberate fabrication,” says Gasim

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Government submits three bills to parliament

The government has submitted to the People’s Majlis amendments to the Political Parties Act and the Family Act as well as legislation on establishing an Islamic University.

According to Vnews, the President’s Office proposed abolishing or amending clauses in the political parties law that the Supreme Court had ruled were unconstitutional.

Amendments proposed to the the Family Act meanwhile seek to provide temporary shelter to divorced women and their children and establish rules for equitable distribution of property in divorce cases.

The bill on creating the Maldives Islamic University outlines the powers and responsibilities of the envisioned higher education institution.

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President Yameen should apologise for thumbs down gesture, says MDP chairperson

President Abdulla Yameen should formally apologise for his thumbs down gesture at opposition MPs during today’s opening of the People’s Majlis, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Ali Waheed has said.

At a press conference this afternoon, Waheed contended that the gesture was intended to “mock” the opposition alliance, adding that it would not be acceptable to the public.

Waheed said the gesture showed Yameen’s loss of control over his emotions and that the government was “upside down.”

“I do not believe what we saw today should have been the message given to the people after delivering an address by a head of state,” said MDP parliamentary group leader, Ibrahim ‘Ibu’ Mohamed Solih.

After delivering his presidential address today amidst chants from opposition MPs calling for the release of former President Mohamed Nasheed, President Yameen gave two thumbs up to pro-government MPs and made a thumbs down gesture towards MDP and Jumhooree Party (JP) MPs.

President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali has since defended the gesture, tweeting that it was “an advisory gesture” against obstructing constitutionally mandated duties.

“Today we saw [opposition MPs] attempting to obstruct the president’s from fulfilling his responsibility under Article 84 of [the constitution],”he tweeted.

Opposition MPs gathered in front of the secretariat desk carrying posters depicting police manhandling and dragging the opposition leader into court and called for Yameen’s resignation.

Nasheed was arrested last week and remains in police custody pending the outcome of a trial on charges of terrorism.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MPs responded to the opposition MPs’ protest by chanting “Ganjabo” and Theyobidbo,” epithets referring to the former president’s alleged encouragement of drug use, and held up placards that read: “You cant hide from the law Nasheed” and “Nasheed deserves to be in prison.”

Several PPM MPs also snatched posters from MDP MPs and ripped some posters to pieces.

Opposition’s demands

Last night, the MDP and JP coalition revealed that the two parties have agreed to request a meeting with President Yameen to discuss 13 demands issued at last Friday’s mass demonstration.

At a joint press conference, Ali Waheed said the parties would request an appointment today, adding that the 13 demands would be formally submitted in writing.

The 13 demands are:

  1. Stop restricting fundamental constitutional rights and freedoms through amendments to either the constitution or laws.
  2. Release former President Mohamed Nasheed, former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, MDP MP Ali Azim and others arrested during anti-government protests.
  3. Repeal amendments brought to the Auditor General’s Act that saw the removal of former Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim
  4. Withdraw political charges pressed against opposition politicians.
  5. Investigate alleged large scale corruption within the government.
  6. Continue providing the electricity subsidy and make electricity cheaper in Malé and other islands.
  7. Fulfil campaign pledges to provide subsidies to fishermen and farmers.
  8. Give back powers taken from local council, empower the councils, and enforce the Decentralisation Act.
  9. Enforce the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
  10. Increase wages for teachers, health workers and civil servants, ensuring equal pay to state employees.
  11. Reverse decision to impose import duty on fuel.
  12. Legally empowering independent institutions.
  13. Fulfil government pledges of providing unlimited health insurance.

Ali Waheed added that the alliance would meet relevant state institutions to discuss specific demands.

“Some of the demands are not just made to the President’s Office,” Waheed said.

“Some of the demands are made to specific institutions. We have agreed to hold meetings with all related institutions.”

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Foreign investments worth MVR9.8 billion expected in five years, says President Yameen

A total of MVR9.8 billion (US$635.5 million) has been pledged to the Maldives by 24 foreign investments registered so far, President Abdulla Yameen said in his presidential address today.

In the address delivered at the opening of the People’s Majlis’ first session of 2015, Yameen said the 24 foreign investments registered under his administration were not tourism-related.

“Under these investments, a total of MVR9.8 billion has been proposed to be invested in the Maldives during the next five years,” Yameen said over loud protests from opposition MPs calling for the release of former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The pledged foreign investments represent a 70 percent increase on the previous year, Yameen added.

President Yameen’s second presidential address was delivered amidst an ongoing political crisis sparked by the arrests and prosecution of former Defence Minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim and former President Mohamed Nasheed on charges of terrorism.

The newly formed Maldivian Democratic Party-Jumhooree Party (MDP-JP) alliance held a massive protest march in the capital last Friday (February 27) demanding the pair’s immediate release.

During last year’s budget debate, opposition MPs expressed skepticism of the government’s forecast of US$100 million expected as acquisition fees for Special Economic Zones (SEZ) by August 2015. The opposition has also criticised the lack of significant foreign investments despite assurances by President Yameen’s administration with the passage of the SEZ Act last year.

2014

Yameen began the address by assuring MPs that the current government would protect and uphold the constitution, adding that significant efforts were made during 2014 to “strengthen the civil justice justice and criminal justice system of the Maldives”.

Legislation on civil trial procedures would be submitted to parliament this year, Yameen said.

A ‘risk management framework’ to combat drug smuggling and abuse would also implemented during 2015, he continued, and privately operated rehabilitation centres would be opened with modern facilities.

While a bill on establishing an Islamic University has been submitted to parliament, Yameen said eight new government-funded mosques would be built during the year in addition to 10 new mosques funded by Saudi Arabia.

“Seven island harbours were constructed last year. And work is underway on constructing harbours on 32 islands. Additionally, land reclamation has been completed on four islands. And while land reclamation is ongoing in three islands, coastal protection work is ongoing in three islands,” he said.

Moreover, road construction projects have been contracted for 10 islands, Yameen said.

A project awarded to the Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) to resolve flooding in the capital was nearly complete, he continued, whilst US$100 million worth of foreign loans have been secured to provide safe drinking water and establish sewerage systems in inhabited islands.

Construction of 1,089 flats in Hulhumalé have now been completed, Yameen said, and work on a further 5,000 flats would begin this year.

Reclamation of 227 hectares of land in Hulhumalé would also be completed in March, he said.

A waste management project targeting four northern atolls is meanwhile expected to be completed during the year, Yameen added.

While a fishermen’s marina was established in Felivaru last year, Yameen said three more marinas would be set up in Kooddoo, Hulhumalé, and Addu City Feydhoo.

On the education sector, Yameen said a diploma certificate has been set as the minimum qualification for teachers and a new salary structure has been put in place.

The government’s health insurance scheme ‘Aasandha’ has been expanded to cover chronic illnesses and kidney transplants, he continued, whilst a programme was launched in November to provide “super-specialist” doctor’s service to the atolls.

Legislation is currently before parliament to protect women’s rights in divorce cases, Yameen said, which would provide temporary shelter to divorced women and establish rules for equitable division of property.

Moreover, the government is formulating rules to provide easy access to healthcare and prioritise employment for persons with special needs, he said.

Loans worth MVR200 million (US$12.9 million) would be issued in the near future under the ‘Get Set’ programme for youth entrepreneurs, he continued, and a bill on youth rights would be submitted to parliament this year.

Work was underway on building 36 sports pitches in islands with populations exceeding 2,000 people, he noted.

Economy

Yameen noted that the forecast for economic growth in 2015 was 10.5 percent, up from 8.5 percent last year, adding that in 2014 inflation was kept on average at 2.4 percent and the budget deficit brought down to MVR1.6 billion (US$103.7 million).

In a bid to encourage lending, Yameen said the minimum reserve requirement for banks would be reduced this year from 20 percent at present.

The forecast for the current account deficit in 2015 is US$214.7 million or 6 percent of GDP, he added, down from US$290 million or 10% of GDP last year.

“As a result of the increase in foreign currency the Maldives earned in 2014, serious difficulties faced by the public in obtaining dollars have been resolved, and with God’s will, the dollar shortage has been alleviated,” he said.

Referring to a decline in tourist arrivals from Russia and China in December and January, Yameen said the government has launched efforts to increase arrivals from both source markets.

“Despite the Maldives being seen as a high-end tourist destination, efforts are now underway to advertise the Maldives as an affordable luxury destination, expand the Maldivian guesthouse business, and expand the tourism industry to target mid-market [tourists] as well,” he added.

Yameen also said the government was taking back uninhabited islands leased for resort development due to contractual violations.

In the wake of former coalition partner JP’s alliance with the opposition MDP, the government seized several properties leased to JP Leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group for alleged agreement violations. Last week, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) gave a 30-day notice to Villa Group to pay US$100 million allegedly owed as unpaid rent and fines.

In 2015, Yameen said 22 islands would be leased for resort development both under normal bidding processes and as joint ventures.

Yameen added that development in the SEZs would create new jobs and spur economic growth as the minimum threshold for investments was US$150 million.

The government was in the process of formulating a master plan for the ‘iHavan’ project, Yameen said, which was among the mega projects envisioned in the SEZs.

A basic design for a new terminal at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) has been completed, he continued, and the government was seeking interested parties to repair and resurface the airport’s runway.

Foreign policy

Yameen said the Maldives achieved significant successes during 2014. The “Maldives’ name shined in the outside world” last year, he said.

The Maldives assumed the chairs of both the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) and World Health Organisation’s (WHO) executive board, Yameen noted.

Relationships with regional neighbours and Arab-Islamic nations were “brought back to its previous heights,” he continued.

In addition to state visits to friendly nations, Yameen said various agreements that would prove beneficial to the Maldives have been signed with India, Sri Lanka, China, and Japan.

Yameen also appealed for the participation of all Maldivian citizens in celebrating the country’s 50th independence day in July.

“God willing, this year will see new progress made in fulfilling the government’s pledges to the people,” he said.

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President Yameen delivers presidential address amidst opposition protests

President Abdulla Yameen delivered the annual presidential address today in the face of vociferous protests from opposition MPs at the official opening of the People’s Majlis for 2015.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) MPs gathered in front of the secretariat desk and clamoured for the release of former President Mohamed Nasheed, carrying placards that read, “Free President Nasheed,” as well as posters depicting police manhandling and dragging the opposition leader into court.

Nasheed remains in police custody pending the outcome of a trial on charges of terrorism.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MPs responded to opposition MPs’ chants of “Yaagunda resign” with “Ganjabo” and “Theyobidibo,” epithets referring to the former president’s alleged encouragement of drug use.

PPM and coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) MPs held up placards that read: “Nasheed deserves to be in prison,” “Nasheed supports terrorism,” “Free Maldivians from Nasheed,” and “MDP must learn democracy,” .

“Gasim, first pay tax and then talk,” “You cant hide from the law Nasheed,” “It is time Nasheed should be put in jail,”and “Nasheed has to be tried for corruption of US$ 2 billion,” read some of the other placards.

Yameen’s second presidential address comes amidst a political crisis sparked by the arrests of former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim and former President Nasheed. The opposition MDP-JP alliance organised a massive protest march calling for the pair’s release on Friday (February 27).

Meanwhile, journalists, foreign dignitaries, and state officials inside the gallery could not hear President Yameen’s address over the din. The chants from PPM and MDA MPs drowned out the opposition MPs.

Confrontations and verbal sparring between pro-government and opposition MPs occurred inside the chamber, with some PPM MPs snatching posters from MDP MPs.

Former PPM MP Ahmed Mahloof – who was carrying a placard calling for Nazim’s release – also clashed with former colleagues in the ruling party.

After concluding the address, President Yameen gave two thumbs up to PPM MPs and made a thumbs down gesture towards opposition MPs.

“Today we saw [opposition MPs] attempting to obstruct the president’s from fulfilling his responsibility under Article 84 of [the constitution],” tweeted President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali.

Article 84 states, “At the beginning of the first session of each year at the first sitting, the president shall address the People’s Majlis on the state of the country, and may present proposals for improving the state of the country to the People’s Majlis.”

Muaz also tweeted saying he was “ashamed” that opposition MPs were unaware of Article 84 whilst “inciting unrest in the country in the name of defending the constitution.” The MDP-JP alliance launched nightly protests last month against the current administration’s alleged breaches of the constitution.

Muaz also said President Yameen’s thumb down was “an advisory gesture” against obstructing constitutionally mandated duties.

“Political charges”

“Delivering a presidential address while holding opposition politicians in jail is alien to democracy,” Minority Leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ‘Ibu’ told journalists before entering the parliament building.

The MDP parliamentary group leader called on the government to withdraw “political charges” against the former president.

Ibu told reporters after the sitting that the opposition has delivered a message to President Yameen on behalf of the public.

Echoing the minority leader’s sentiments, JP Leader Gasim Ibrahim said the international community views the prosecution of Nasheed and Nazim as politically motivated and warned of “economic sanctions” as a consequence, which could lead to “starvation” and “unrest”.

The MP for Maamigili reiterated appeals for Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin to withdraw the charges against the pair.

A crowd of opposition supporters were meanwhile gathered behind police barricades on Sosun Magu, a short distance from the parliament building.

According to a live blog on the police website, police confiscated megaphones after advising protesters not to use any loudspeakers as a school session was in progress at the nearby Majeedhiyya School.

Police pushed back protesters around 10:45am and set up barricades near the MDP office on Sosun Magu.

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Villa Group ordered to pay US$100million in 30 days

Opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) Leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group has been ordered to pay the state US$100million within 30 days.

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) today said Villa Group owed the state US$100million in rent and fines for several islands and lagoons leased to the company.

However, upon his return to Malé this afternoon Gasim brushed off the claim stating: “I don’t owe MIRA anything.”

The opposition has claimed the government is targeting Gasim’s businesses following his split with the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and subsequent alliance with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

State prosecutors last week claimed former Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim had conspired with the Villa Group to harm senior state officials, according to documents in a pen drive confiscated from the retired Colonel’s home during a midnight raid on January 18.

Nazim is currently in police custody until a trial on illegal weapons possession concludes at the Criminal Court. The police found a pistol and three live bullets along with the pen drive during the controversial raid.

Meanwhile, former President Mohamed Nasheed is also in police custody amidst a surprise terrorism trial over the military detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

Speaking to reporters at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Gasim said the international community was closely monitoring the government’s “unjust prosecution of opposition leaders.”

“The international community takes the prosecution of former President Mohamed Nasheed, retired Colonel Mohamed Nazim and current Defense Minister Moosa Ali Jaleel and other politically motivated prosecutions as a joke. They believe that political prisoners are being framed,” Gasim said.

Gasim had departed to Colombo on Wednesday to meet with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and a European Union (EU) delegation, ahead of a mass opposition protest scheduled for February 27.

“The Sri Lankan President expressed concern over the situation in Maldives and has promised that he would speak with the Prime Minister and send a senior Sri Lankan delegation to Maldives,” Gasim told reporters.

“My main reason for this trip was to prevent any economic sanctions against Maldives, if political prisoners are sentenced. If that happens people of this country will starve, and no good would come out of it.”

Fearing international economic sanctions if the current political crisis deepens, Gasim urged President Abdulla Yameen to withdraw charges against all political prisoners.

The PPM maintains it has no influence over Nasheed and Nazim’s trials, claiming the charges were initiated by the independent Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin and tried through independent courts.

However, pointing to a PPM majority in the People’s Majlis, Gasim implied the state’s independent institutions did as President Yameen instructed for fear of retaliation.

“The President might say that it’s not in his power to withdraw the charges against the political prisoners. It is true, but the fact is government has the majority of the Peoples Majlis therefore members of independent institutions will fear government retaliation if they do anything against them.”

The opposition leader’s absence at the mass February 27 rally left many supporters dissatisfied, but Gasim said he was “watching the protest from Sri Lanka.”

“The huge number of protesters shows that Maldivians despise a dictatorship. This shows that Maldivians want justice,” he said.

Asked if he fears arrest, Gasim said the police could only arrest him if he had committed any crime.

“I haven’t committed any crime. I have heard that government is framing people such as colonel Nazim. I have not committed any crime and won’t commit one even in the future.”

The Tourism Ministry in early February moved to seize several islands and lagoons granted to Villa Group in a settlement agreement, but was stalled following a Civil Court injunction. The High Court last week overturned the stay order, paving the way for state appropriation.

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Ex-Defence Minister calls for an open, public trial

In a letter to President Abdulla Yameen, former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim has appealed for open and public hearings in an ongoing illegal weapons trial.

The retired colonel alleged his charges were based on fabricated evidence and said he has no confidence that Prosecutor General (PG) Muhthaz Muhsin would uphold his constitutional rights.

Article 223 of the Constitution states the PG must assess evidence presented by investigating bodies before pursuing charges, oversee legality of preliminary investigations, and review the circumstances and conditions under which any person is arrested or otherwise deprived of freedom prior to trial.

“I cannot depend on the Prosecutor General to uphold his constitutional responsibilities. Hence, I believe the only means to ensure my rights are defended is a just trial open to the public,” he said.

Nazim was arrested on February 10 on treason and terrorism charges after police discovered a pistol and three bullets in the then-defence minister’s bedroom during a raid on January 18.

At a first hearing on a separate illegal weapons possession trial, state prosecutors alleged Nazim had conspired with opposition leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group to harm senior government officials, according to documents found in a pen drive confiscated during the police raid.

Some of the documents are to be kept confidential, state prosecutors have said. Nazim’s lawyer Maumoon Hameed has described the move as one that would obstruct the former minister’s right to a free and fair trial.

“We will not be able to respond to any of the confidential documents, which hampers his right to justice. We will object to this, and we will do everything within our means to protect Nazim’s rights.”

The Criminal Court at a subsequent hearing cited national security reasons, and ruled Nazim be held in police custody until the trial’s conclusion.

In today’s letter, Nazim offered to bear the expense for a public trial at the Dharubaaruge Convention Center in Malé if the state was unable to do so.

He noted the state had held public trials at Dharubaaruge over the 2003 Maafushi Jail custodial deaths and the 2005 terrorism charges against former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The largest courtroom at the Criminal Court, used for Nazim’s trial, only accommodates twenty members of the public, including journalists.

Pointing to the thousands of opposition supporters who had marched on the streets of Malé on February 27 urging President Yameen to release all political prisoners, Nazim said a public trial was in the public interest.

Nazim’s family in a statement last week urged the international community to step up pressure on President Yameen’s administration, claiming, “there is no hope that Nazim can expect a fair trial” due to a “notoriously politicised judiciary.”

“Nazim never expected to be where he is now. But he has fallen foul of a political conspiracy, one in which powerful forces within the Maldivian government have sought to destroy him and thus prevent him from challenging for the leadership of the ruling party,” Nazim’s family explained in a letter to the international community.

The Maldives Police Services have denied planting evidence and framing the former minister, insisting officers had acted professionally during the midnight raid.

The government has maintained the arrests and charges against Nazim demonstrate “no one is above the law,” and say it has no influence over the trial, claiming charges were initiated by an independent Prosecutor General and tried through an impartial judiciary.

On February 24, Nazim filed civil charges against PG Muhthaz Muhsin, alleging the office had failed to protect the former minister’s constitutional rights.

Nazim’s lawyers on February 12 filed defamation charges at the Civil Court and a complaint at the Police Integrity Commission against the Commissioner of Police Hussein Waheed for spreading false information.

Waheed at a press conference following Nazim’s arrest said the police had found an improvised explosive device in a bag confiscated from his apartment.

But lawyers say a police document detailing items confiscated from Nazim’s apartment right after the raid did not list an IED.

Related to this story:

No hope for fair trial, says former defense minister’s family

Nazim accused of conspiring with Villa group to harm state officials

Ex defense minister’s wife charged with illegal weapons possession

Nazim remains in custody as High Court rejects appeal

Former Defence Minister Nazim remanded for 15 days

Police deny framing Nazim as former Commissioner alleges politicisation

No forensic evidence against Nazim, says legal team

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