I did not send any letter of resignation to the Parliament: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he was forced by the military to write his letter of resignation from the post of President of Maldives. He said that neither he nor the President’s Office sent any letter of resignation to the Parliament.

Nasheed said in an interview with international media today that he was surrounded by the military and forced to write a letter of resignation on a piece of paper provided by them. He said that it was not him who sent this letter out.

“They [military] took me to the President’s Office. They gave me a piece of paper and a pen. I wrote the letter as they told me to, and signed it. I tried to give this letter to my Secretary. The military snatched it from me and submitted it to Majlis. You can check with the Majlis even now, they won’t have any letter sent by me or the President’s Office,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed, who accuses the military of organising a coup against him, said that a former military officer took him by the arm and said that he must resign. He was not even given a chance to talk to his party members.

“I was not allowed to talk to anyone. I couldn’t discuss it with anyone. I never make such decisions without discussing with my party members. In that situation, I made the best decision for the Maldivian people and for myself. I didn’t think it was the right time to go into detail,” the former President said following an inquiry by Sun Online.

Speaking in the presence of several members of his family and international media, he said that he does not believe that he can be arrested and taken to Criminal Court, and that the order issued by the court is not legitimate. He said that he is worried about this.

“I am worried. I know where I’ll end up in. They can’t rule the country today without using force. I would describe it [the order issued by Criminal Court] as a crime. It’s no democracy when former leaders are arrested,” Nasheed said.

Describing the incident inside the military building few days ago, the former President said that when he entered the building he did not see anyone in uniform; there was not one officer in sight. When he went out, the building was surrounded by the military who requested him to hand over the keys to the gun storage, in order to fire at the crowd. The former President refused this request. He also denied claims that he ordered the firing of rubber bullets at the Police.

The former President said that a government cannot be overthrown by protests; it must be done by holding an election or by the Parliament. He said that the current government is not legitimate, and that the announcement must be made for an election.

“The only thing to do now is hold an election. I will compete and win that election,” Nasheed said.

When asked by Sun Online for his last words before he is arrested, he said, “I am telling you repeatedly, nobody should act in conflict with the law. Now is the time to act wisely and peacefully. I repeat, don’t do anything that is in violation of the law!”

The former President said that he has not yet been informed anything by the Criminal Court, and that he received the information about the warrant via the media.

“I’ve even packed my bags,” Nasheed said. “I won’t leave my country. I will die here. Sri Lanka is a peaceful place for everyone, even my family.”

Supporters of MDP gathered near Keneryge following news that Nasheed may be arrested. However neither the Police nor the military were seen in this area. Nasheed’s security officials were inside his residence.

It is not known if the Police intend to comply with the court warrant.

Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz said today that following a request by the Police, the Court has issued a warrant to arrest Nasheed and Thalhath. He said that a warrant is different from a Court Order in that the Police can decide whether to act on a Court warrant or not.

Riyaz did not indicate if the Police intend to act on this warrant.

MNDF Male’ Area Commander Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Didi said last night that former President Nasheed has claimed in an interview with a foreign media source that he was forced and intimidated by officers who threatened to use their weapons if he did not resign.

Didi denied these claims, and said that the former President was not held at gunpoint by any Officer, and that Nasheed made the decision to resign on his own.

“I was the Operation Commander during yesterday’s incident. I assure Maldivian people that no member of MNDF used any weapon to threaten him to resign,” the Brigadier General said.

He condemned the allegations regarding the use of weapons in yesterday’s incident, and said that these claims are not true and that the former President is misinformed.