Won

Commissioner of Police Abdullah Riyaz has said that the Police will not investigate complaints submitted against political groups by their political rivals.

Responding to a question by Sun Online last night as he arrived back in Maldives from his trip to Australia, Riyaz said that the Police will not investigate complaints filed by private persons even if they relate to criminal offences at the Parliament.

He explained that criminal offences at the Parliament must be filed to Police by the Parliament Office.

Riyaz said that cases which are filed by groups other than the injured party will only be entertained by the Police if it is submitted by a State authority.

He also said that the Prosecutor General’s (PG) advice, on whether such a case will be filed to Court, will be sought before investigating complaints filed by third parties.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Council Member Ahmed Saleem had filed a case to Police, pertaining to the damage caused by Parliament Members to Parliament furniture and equipment on 19 March 2012.

When asked about this case, Riyaz said that the general policy of the Police is that they do not investigate cases filed by political groups against their rivals; but he can comment on that particular case only after checking its status.