Home Ministry refutes HRCM's election obstruction claims

Ministry of Home Affairs has denied allegations by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) that the Acting Home Minister Ahmed Shafeeu had said the police obstructed the 19 October presidential election following orders from the government.

Home Ministry released a statement today saying that, during a phone call between the Acting Minister and Deputy President of HRCM Ahmed Tholal on Saturday morning, Tholal had asked Shafeeu if the police were acting in their own capacity when they obstructed the election.

In reply, Shafeeu had said that police were not acting in their own capacity and that they were acting according to orders by the Supreme Court, in addition to advice by other relevant institutions, the Home Ministry statement read.

Sun was unable to contact Minister Ahmed Shafeeu for comment at the time of press.

The national security committee has also refuted claims by the police that the committee had advice the police to obstruct the election. Police themselves have said that they did not obstruct the election, but rather stopped providing support and were acting according to the 16-point guideline issued upon all relevant authorities involved in the election, by the Supreme Court.

Police Integrity Commission is currently investigating the case.