Government: Discussions would be with political parties, not convicts

The Government has said that only political parties would be allowed to take part in the proposed government talks with the political parties and no convicts can take part in it.

Spokesperson of the President’s Office, Ibrahim Muaz Ali told Sun Media today that the government hopes that the political parties would work with integrity at the talks. He said that allowing convicts to take part in the political discussions in not something in practice at any country in the world.

“Convicts being part of the talks is, not something in practice at any country in the world. The government has said this previously as well. No convicts can take part in the talks. The government is going to discuss with political parties.” Muaz Ali said.

While invitations have been sent to the five political parties in the country following President Abdulla Yameen’s decision to resume talks with the political parties, the biggest challenge in the previous talks has been the government’s refusal to allow the former President Mohamed Nasheed, who is sentenced to 13 years in prison and Sheikh Imran (who was in detention awaiting his trial at the time,) to take part in the talks.

Fisheries Minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee and Defence Minister, Adam Shareef Umar along with the Youth Minister, Ahmed Zuhoor would be representing the government in the political talks this time.

Government has invited the Commonwealth and the EU to be a moderator at the talks.

The President’s Office said that President Yameen hopes that the talks would produce beneficial results to the people.