Nasheed requests dismissal of all MNDF Officers who participated in coup

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government was changed through a ‘coup’, and requested the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to dismiss all its Officers who participated in the ‘coup’.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held an emergency meeting of its National Council this evening, following Nasheed’s representative in the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) Gaha Ahmed Saeed expressing concern earlier today over the CNI’s draft report.

The CNI’s report is due this Thursday.

Speaking at the Council meeting today, Nasheed highlighted that the Maldives Police and MNDF are to a large extent responsible in the efforts to resolve the current challenges faced by the country.

“My main request from the CNI is to bring the MNDF and Police Officers who conducted the coup to justice. Maldives Police and MNDF should be informed to keep their actions within the Constitution,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed went on to say that the current Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim assumed his post by conducting a coup, and that the current Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam also violated the laws on 7 February 2012.

He asked that Police and MNDF Officers be informed that the purpose of their uniform is to uphold justice in the country.

“I was the Commander-in-Chief of MNDF for three and a half years. I was sincere in my work. I believe that their work is important. MNDF is prepared to face any challenge to the country with sincerity. When I say this, I am reminded of their efforts during the SAARC Summit held in Addu,” he said.

A resolution was also passed unanimously by the 61 members present at the Council meeting today. It was submitted by former Finance Minister Mohamed Shihab and supported by Mariya Ahmed Didi.

The resolution states that the CNI’s report should be in accordance with the Agreement made with Commonwealth; however, the information revealed by Gaha Saeed today showed that the CNI’s draft report compiled by the Singaporean Judge is in violation of the Agreement.

Through the resolution, they also expressed concern over the fact that evidence collected by the CNI such as phone call recordings and bank account statements have not been included in the draft report.

Following the presentation of this resolution, the members criticised Selvam and said that his intention is to cover-up the events of 7 February 2012.

MDP had earlier accepted Commonwealth’s appointment of Selvam to the CNI.

Baarah MP Mohamed Shifaz called Selvam ‘Singapore’s Judge Abdullah’, and said that according to Selvam, the only way to change a government through a coup would be by throwing stones at the MNDF and Police Headquarters. He also said that a decision has to be made, whether to accept CNI’s decision if they decide that the events of 7 February were according to the law.

Selvam was heavily criticised at today’s meeting by former Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa, Sarangu Adam Manik, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy and MP Mohamed Thorig; who accused Selvam of being biased and corrupt.

They also said that the resort to be developed by MNDF has been awarded to a company in which Selvam has interest.

In addition to this, the members at today’s meeting also urged supporters of MDP all over the Maldives to travel to Male’ on the day the CNI publishes its report; a notion which was supported by Nasheed.