Death threats an attempt to frame religious scholars, says Adhaalath

Adhaalath Party has condemned the recent messages of intimation and death threats to elections officials, saying that they were sent under the guise of religion in an attempt to frame religious scholars.

The party’s statement follows messages of death threats and intimidation to elections officials through SMS's, warning them to heed the Supreme Court injunction to delay the second round of polls and urging them to defy any attempts by senior members of the Elections Commission to stage the election.

Elections Commission has asked the Police to investigate the threats.

Adhaalath Party Spokesperson Ali Zahir told Sun last night that the people who sent the messages had tried to make it seem like religious scholars were behind the attempt, which they strongly condemned. Adhaalath Party does not issue death threats or try to incite violence, Ali Zahir said.

“They write whatever they want and end it with Allah Akbar. We think that it is an attempt to frame [religious scholars] by making it a religious matter. We strongly condemn these attempts to put the blame on Adhaalath and religious people,” Ali Zahir said.

He said that the messages were sent in a planned and systematic manner and that it is suspicious that all elections officials who were active in the elections had received the messages. He also called on the authorities investigate the matter and take drastic action against them.

Elections Commission has said that a list of names and number of election officials who will be active near ballot stations was shared with all political parties.

Stating that reports of intimidating people and giving death threats over the phone are on the rise, Communication Authority of Maldives (CAM) has warned that services will be suspended without warning for those who carry out such activities.