MDP calls to withdraw case against Nasheed

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for the withdrawal of the charged against former President Mohamed Nasheed, which alleges him of unlawfully detaining Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdullah Mohamed in Girifushi.

MDP’s statement comes while Nasheed last night asserted at an MDP rally that he is well-prepared to face the charges against him.

MDP said via the statement issued today that Nasheed’s prosecution is politically motivated, because the current government as well as former President Gayoom’s 30-year government had flagrantly violated the laws – but no attention is being paid to their crimes.

According to the statement, the case against Nasheed was filed within 24 hours of members of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) stating at a PPM rally in Addu City, that the Prosecutor General will be removed from his post unless a case is filed against Nasheed.

Hence MDP had advised the Prosecutor General to refrain from getting caught up in political games, withdraw the charges against Nasheed, and remain committed in carrying out his responsibilities.

MDP questioned the allegations made against Nasheed and said that the allegations were against the about-50,000 members of MDP, and against democracy. They also indicated that the Prosecutor General was influenced to file the case against Nasheed.

In addition to Nasheed, the case includes former Defence Minister Thalhath Ibrahim Kaleyfaan, former Chief of Defence Force Moosa Ali Jaleel, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Didi and Colonel Mohamed Ziyad.

Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) had completed its report on the arrest of the Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdullah Mohamed, and sent it to the Prosecutor General’s Office. The allegations made against Nasheed are based on the information in this report.