Investigations will confirm that Gayoom was behind the coup: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that investigations will confirm that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was the mastermind behind the ‘coup’ to topple the government.

Speaking at the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally at Usfasgandu last night, Nasheed said that the case will be submitted for fair investigation by international organisations. However he did not indicate which organisations will be involved.

He said that events of 7 February 2012 will be explained to these organisations from ‘A to Z’. He alleged that members of the Police and Defence Force were out to assassinate him that day, and that this will be made clear after investigations. The investigations will also reveal that Gayoom was the mastermind behind the ‘coup’.

“Who was commanding the MNDF Generals? Which General ordered to agree with Nazim? The investigations will reveal, at which Officer’s command the guards at the MNDF gate felt like their hands were tied.”

Nasheed said that the people responsible for the coup will be produced in court, and MDP will do everything possible to make sure that this is done. The officers who wanted to go and break the protest at Republic Square were stopped by a handful of MNDF Officers; and according to Nasheed, the conversations that took place in that moment have been recorded.

“We are discovering these recordings today. Whether it’s the current MNDF Chief of Staff, or any other type of officer – these recordings are recorded too well. These things will be revealed soon. I don’t doubt that it will be revealed to the whole world that it was a coup,” Nasheed said.

Referring to MDP protests calling for an early election, Nasheed said that MDP will soon take to the streets for a long-lasting series of protests. They will not leave the protest area before their goals are achieved.

“A protest that will solve our problems; a protest that will show the whole world what Maldivians want - we will arrange such a protest. People of other countries ask me what they can do for Maldivians. I told them to come to Maldives. Come and join our protests,” Nasheed said.

Ministers of Nasheed’s administration, MDP Parliamentary Group Members and the members of the public gathered at Usfasgandu last night.