Home Minister

Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer’s statements, calling for volunteers to storm the walls of the country’s military headquarters during a rally in 2012, was against the tenets of Islam, the State Prosecution has told the court today.

Answering defence lawyer Adam Asif's argument that the clause under which his client has been indicted contradicts the constitutional freedom of expression, the prosecution argued in length today that the purpose of Umar Naseer’s statements on 23 January 2012 was to disrupt the country's peace and therefore against the tenets of Islam.

Article 8 (ii) of General Laws – in reference to which Umar Naseer has been indicted - prohibits remarks that would upset the peace and order of the community.

Judge Abdulla Didi, who presides over the case, concluded today’s hearing after allowing the defence to prepare a response.

Home Minister Umar Naseer has been charged with disobeying State orders and encouraging public disorder during a protest against former president Mohamed Nasheed’s government, held near the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) building in Male' on 23 January 2012.

The current Home Minister, then an opposition leader, called for 2000 volunteers to follow his instructions and use 50, 12-foot ladders to storm the walls of the country’s main military headquarters.