Thinadhoo Mayor Saud claims charges against him are political, vows not to back down

Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali says he may get sentenced to political imprisonment, but he will continue to speak for the people of Thinadhoo.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed two charges against Saud over the alleged illegal designation of Thinadhoo as a city. He is accused of knowingly issuing an invalid document and providing false information to official agencies. If convicted, Saud faces a maximum sentence of two years.

Meanwhile, MDP Chairman and former President Mohamed Nasheed, to whose party Saud belongs, has called on the government to withdraw the charges.

Speaking to Sun on Wednesday, Saud said the allegations against him were political. He said he was likely to be imprisoned politically, adding that this was happening because “the government is weakening.”

“The people of Thinadhoo are fully prepared and good days are ahead,” Saud said.

PNC MP for North Thinadhoo, Saudulla Hilmy, had submitted the issue to Parliament and the LGA in 2024, alleging Thinadhoo was designated as a city illegally.

Referring to Hilmy, Saud said he was being charged by a fellow member of a “weak mindset” representing Thinadhoo.

“We, the people of Thinadhoo, believe that the member is the second Ibrahim Nasir. Therefore, the government will not win anything out of what a specific individual wants to do for his own satisfaction,” Saud said.

Noting that the PNC did not win any seat for Thinadhoo North in the local council elections, Saud said the government would only continue losing by making such political plays.

“I will speak for the truth. I will always work in defense of the people of Thinadhoo! I will not back down from anything for development,” Saud said.