Last updated : 11 years ago

MP Ali Azim was handed over to the police for attacking parliament security personnel: MNDF

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) personnel have barred Medhu-Henveiru MP Ali Nazim from entering the parliament building, as he attended today’s session. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that MP Ali Azim and Alifushi MP Mohamed Nashiz are no longer qualified to stay in parliament as they have a decreed debt, which is not being paid according to a court judgment. The parliament area was cordoned off early morning today, with heavy security around the streets of the parliament. Today’s session is to address the legal implications of a constitutional void that might arise if the country fails to elect a new president by the end of the presidential term on 11 November.

14:34

Parliament session cancelled. A fresh session scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) morning 9:00 a.m.

13:49

MPs are still inside the parliament chamber, says PPM. Kimbidhoo MP Moosa Rameez said the Speaker has yet to indicate if he will proceed with the session, which he said is unlikely.

13:03

Parliament has returned a letter sent by MNDF after stating that some of the statements quoting the Secretary General of the Parliament were false.

12:27

PPM leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has published a tweet condemning the attack on PPM presidential candidate MP Abdulla Yameen in parliament today.

I condemn in strongest terms the physical assault on Yameen in Majlis premises today. -M
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) October 26, 2013

PPM candidate MP Abdulla Yameen with members of his parliamentary group -- photo: MP Nihan

11:02

MNDF has said that they will not obstruct MPs Azim and Nashiz from entering the parliament chamber if they receive such directions in writing, from the Speaker of the parliament. In a statement released moments ago, MNDF stated that they have not obstructed any other MP from entering the parliament chambers today. MNDF published a tweet saying that MP Ali Azim has been handed over the Maldives Police Service for attacking parliament security personnel

Rayithunge Majileehuge security balahattaa Faraaithakah hamalaa dhinumaai gulhigen Ali Azim Maldives Police Service aai havaalu koffi.
— MNDF (@MNDF_Official) October 26, 2013

As the Maldives Supreme Court has ruled that the Medhu-Henveiru of parliament and Alifushi seat of parliament are now vacant, the Maldives National Defence Froce has written a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament on the night of 25 October 2013, asking directions to admitting MPs Ali Azim and Mohamed Nashiz to parliament and to maintaining the security of the parliament. However, the Speaker of the Parliament has not replied. Maldives National Defence Force will not obstruct the MPs to enter parliament once the Maldives National Defence Force received such a directive in writing. Maldives National Defence Force has not obstructed any other Member of Parliament that attended session today.

10:41

MDP presidential candidate, former president Mohamed Nasheed has said in recent tweet that the MNDF personnel that went inside the parliament chamber can be individually prosecuted.

Majlis thereah vai MNDF ge meehunah vaki vakin dhauvaa ufuleyne.
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) October 26, 2013

MP Ali Waheed speaking to military personnel inside the parliament compound -- Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa

10:23

MPs inside the parliament say that the secretariat is preparing to begin a session, after removing MP Ali Azim from the chambers. Some MPs are quarrelling, but the chamber is generally calm.

10:23

MNDF has asked the police to investigate a matter where an individual had forcefully entered the parliament compounds and refused MNDF orders.

The Maldives Police Service have begun investigating an incident where an individual entered the Parliament grounds, assaulted members of the Maldives National Defence Force and disobeyed orders from the MNDF. The individual entered the Parliament grounds this morning as the scheduled meeting was about to begin and was stopped by the members of the MNDF who were overseeing the security of the Parliament. The MNDF then filed a case regarding the issue to the Maldives Police Service. The Maldives Police Service is investigating the matter further.

Unrest near parliament chamber as MNDF personnel in combat gear try to remove MP Ali Azim from the area -- Photo: MP Eva Abdulla

10:16

14 MNDF personnel have entered the parliament chamber and forcefully removed MP Ali Azim. The MP was handed over to the police who boarded him to a police vehicle and drove him away from the area.

MP Ali Azim being forced to leave the parliament by MNDF personnel -- Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa

10:07

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate MP Abdulla Yameen attacked while entering the parliament chamber.

MP Ali Azim was handed over to the police for attacking parliament security personnel: MNDF

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