Dhiyana Saeed threatened with death, car set on fire

Minister of Gender, Family and Human Rights Dhiyana Saeed has been threatened with death, followed by her car being torched last night.

Dhiyana said in an interview with Sun Online today that her car had been burnt beyond use, and that it is an act of terrorism by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

“It is not my private property; it is state property. Moreover I was threatened with death while I was on the street yesterday. Fire was set to my car within 24 hours of that incident. So I believe it was an attempt on my life,” Dhiyana said.

She blamed former President Mohamed Nasheed for the attack more, than the person who set fire to her car; because Nasheed had called on protesters to overthrow the government by taking to the streets.

“This is a clear act of terrorism. It is part of the protesters’ claims that they will set fire to the whole country. As the car was burning, a group of MDP women were clapping and cheering on. This is very sad,” Dhiyana said.

Police said that Dhiyana’s car, which was parked near Dharubaaruge, was set on fire at around 4:00 last night. The front and back seats of the car are entirely burnt.

“The windscreen and two rear windows are completely destroyed. A pavement brick has been found inside the car,” the Police said.

They said that the incident is under investigation, but no arrest had been made yet.

MDP Spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy said that the attack was not by MDP, and that MDP’s protests are peaceful.

He added that Dhiyana got her own group to attack her car in order to ask for a new one.

Two barricades used by the Police to block the roads were also set on fire during last night’s protest. N. Holhudhoo Police Station has also been burnt beyond use.