MDP does not support death penalty: Hamid Abdul Gafoor

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that MDP cannot be blamed for the murder of Police Lance Corporal Adam Haleem of Kaashidhoo, and that MDP does not support the death penalty.

MDP Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Gafoor said at a press conference at MDP Office today that ‘we are in the middle of a coup’ and that there is hatred among the people towards the Police and MNDF.

He stressed that Haleem’s murder cannot be blamed on MDP, or any political party.

“People of the Maldives hate the security forces. It’s not a good idea to link this incident to that. There is no link between the two. It’s possible that things like this happen due to that. But people have never talked before, about political parties killing people,” Hamid said.

Hamid expressed sadness on behalf of MDP over the murder of Haleem, and said that it is not good in anyway.

He also said that MDP is against the death penalty. He pointed out that while several countries practice the death penalty, statistics show that it does not reduce crime.

When asked by a reporter why he is against the death penalty when it is part of the Islamic Sharia, Hamid said that he does not wish to engage in a religious debate, and that MDP supports compassion.

He said that this is a result of the ‘government having lost its power’.

“I don’t believe that murder won’t continue to take place in the future as well,” Hamid said.