Foreign countries will be asked to refuse entry for participants of coup: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government was changed through a coup, and that he will ask several foreign countries to not allow coup-participants to enter those countries. Tourists will also be asked to avoid resorts owned by certain people.

Speaking at a rally at Usfasgandu last night, chief leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Nasheed said that MDP will not do anything to harm the country’s economy; however will observe until the end of August whether parties’ views on holding early elections change.

He did not indicate which countries will be asked to refuse entry for government officials, or which resorts tourists will be asked to avoid.

“We will ask the countries to withhold visa to people who participated in the coup. We will make this request in August. We will monitor the situation until August, and try to convince them to agree to an early election,” Nasheed said.

He said that there are plenty of requests he can make from foreign countries, but he will only do so after careful consideration.

He also expressed confidence that a presidential election will be held this year.

He said that MDP will not tolerate any religion other than Islam, and pointed out that MDP basic rules also indicate that other religions will not be accepted.