President: Criminal charges will be filed against Imran

President Abdulla Yameen has said that criminal charges will be filed against President of Adhaalath Party (AP) Sheikh Imran Abdulla, for accusing the President of involvement in the murder of Dr Afrasheem Ali.

The President made this remark while speaking at a ceremony in Raa Ifuru this morning, held to inaugurate Ifuru Airport.

President Yameen said that he was still saddened by Dr Afrasheem’s death, and that the government will bring to justice those who were attempting to defame him in relation to this issue.

They will not be prosecuted for defamation, but for a criminal offence, the President said.

He added that he will settle all issues and ensure punishment for perpetrators, via the courts and the country’s justice system.

About two weeks ago, Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin said that people who make baseless accusations against others in relation to crimes for which penalties are prescribed in the Sharia, but are unable to provide evidence to prove those accusations, will be prosecuted.

Crimes for which penalties are prescribed in the Sharia are murder, theft, fornication, and apostasy.

Dr Afrasheem Ali was murdered between 11:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. on 2 October 2012, in the stairwell of his residence H. Funvilu.