Home Minister: Nasheed being given asylum in UK is a win for Maldives

Minister of Home Affairs, Umar Naseer has said that former President Mohamed Nasheed being given asylum in UK was a great win for Maldives.

Umar spoke to “Sun” on Thursday and said that the social fabric of the people of the country had been torn down during the 10 years Nasheed had been active in the country’s politics.

“A 10-years spent – being disrespectful to everyone, swearing at people, swearing at police and military officers, and setting places on fire. Therefore, him leaving Maldives and staying in UK is a great gain,” said Umar.

He said that Nasheed seeking asylum in UK and living there was a great relief to people of Maldives. And that the economy of the country had also suffered while he had been involved in the country’s politics.

“It is therefore also a great economic benefit to the state. And a great comfort and relief to the people. Him leaving is a great victory to Maldives,” said Umar.

Nasheed with his lawyer Amal Clooney in London. Photo: Daily Mirror

He also said that opposition party – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was in tatters because of Nasheed. He said that the party now had no leader, no one to pick up the pieces.

“MDP was founded based on an ideology. But then Nasheed and his people came and kicked everyone out. As soon as a leader stood out, he was kicked out. So there was no one to come to the party’s rescue when the time of need came,” said Umar.

Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison for ordering the illegal imprisonment of a judge during his term at office.

He was in UK after being permitted to travel there for medical treatment when he was granted political refugee status on May 22.

In a statement published on his website the next day, he said that there was no room for dissident political views in Maldives and that he had no other option than to continue his efforts in exile for now.