Male

Male’ City Council has intervened in the case filed against the Police and Defence Forces by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), for the raid on MDP camp area set up at Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu.

The questions posed by Judge Aisha Shujoon Mohamed to City Council lawyer Anas Abdul Sattar were, if City Council had leased Tsunami monument area to MDP, and if they had specified any limits on the lease area.

Anas Abdul Sattar responded by saying that the area had been leased to MDP on certain conditions. He added that the area had been leased to Adhaalath Party to hold a protest on 23 December as well, and no limits were specified.

In today’s session the state requested that a member of City Council be produced in court. However, instead of producing a member of the Council in court, the Judge gave the state the opportunity to pose any questions to City Council.

Tsunami monument area was first given to MDP for the month of February; the period was later extended until the end of March.

State lawyer Usham said that the conditions specified in the letter leasing the area to MDP for February differ from the conditions specified in the letter for March.

The conditions specified for March are more than those for February, and Usham asked City Council why this is the case. The second letter also indicates that activities should not disturb the residents in the area, and Usham asked how City Council monitored that this condition was followed. He also asked how City Council handled the complaints from the residents of the area.

City Council Lawyer Anas requested for the chance to delay replying to these questions at another session.

Judge Aisha Shujoon Mohamed concluded today’s session by giving City Council the chance to respond to the state’s questions in the session to be held on Thursday.