Crowd gathers outside Parliament, demanding PG Shameem’s resignation

A crowd of protestors gathered outside the Parliament building on Monday, demanding the resignation of Hussain Shameem, the country’s prosecutor general, as well as an end to indefinite detention.

The dozens of protestors accused Shameem of committing “inhumane acts” and making “deals” with criminals during the recent Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration, from 2018-2023.

They also accused him of being involved in the Maldives Democracy Network (MDN), which published a report that contained derogatory remarks regarding the religion of Islam and Prophet Mohamed.

“We want PG Shameem to resign immediately, or for parliamentarians to dismiss him, without making any excuses,” said one protestor.

The protestors said they did not was Shameem as the country’s prosecutor general.

They also expressed concern over the death of Mohamed Jameel, a suspect who died at the Maafushi Prison on Friday. Photos taken of his body showed scars and bruises on his face, fueling allegations that he was tortured in prison.

However, the police said that the bruises were believed to be signs of livor mortis, and not that of torture.

The protestors also demanded the delivery of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s electoral pledge to end indefinite detention of suspects.

The 45-year-old inmate who died on Friday had also been held in prison pending the outcome of his trial.

“In response to a question regarding indefinite detention, the president said he was working on finding a legal solution to the issue. We want the incumbent president to end indefinite detention as promised,” said one protestor.