Gayoom should be prosecuted first, then Nasheed: Reeko Moosa Manik

Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Reeko Moosa Manik has said that MDP will not accept a verdict delivered on former President Mohamed Nasheed, before verdicts are issued on former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his brother Mulaku MP Abdullah Yameen.

Speaking at a rally at Usfasgandu last night, Moosa Manik said that in 2008, when Nasheed became the presidential candidate of MDP, groups had attempted to file cases against him to Court to prevent him from contesting in the election – and the same thing is happening now.

He said that any verdict delivered on Nasheed, should be delivered collectively on all 40,000 members of MDP.

“This is all I have to say to the Judges and to the Prosecutor General. We are being beaten to the ground, when the big man who ruled the country for 30 years remains free. The people who inflicted violence on us are not being prosecuted. We won’t accept the Court’s verdict,” Moosa said.

He said that the $800-million case allegedly involving Gayoom and Yameen should also be investigated, and that there is no need for a Parliament if such cases cannot be investigated.

He stressed that this case will begin at the Parliament today, and that Gayoom will be summoned for questioning.

Moosa Manik also criticised the fact that the case pertaining to Nasheed was filed to Hulhumale’ Court, and said that there are Courts in Male’ which can look into this case. He pointed out that regardless of where Nasheed is, his supporters will be there with him.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said that the case was not filed to Criminal Court to avoid conflict of interest as it directly involves the Chief Judge of Criminal Court.

The three Courts in Male’ to which criminal cases can be filed are Criminal Court, Juvenile Court and Drug Court. Juvenile Court is for cases related to children, and Drug Court is for cases related to drugs. The remaining two Courts are Civil Court and Family Court, to which only non-criminal offences can be filed.