Nasheed arrested and taken to Dhoonidhoo

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

Maldives Police Service has arrested former president Mohamed Nasheed under an arrest warrant issued by Hulhumale’ Court.

Former President Nasheed was arrested yesterday around 09:45 am, while he was in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Faresmathoda.

Press Secretary Abbas Adil Riza confirmed that Nasheed has been arrested while he was in Faresmathoda after Hulhumale Magistrate Court ordered the police to produce him before it. He said that the majority of the people of Faresmathoda support the government.

It is reported that Nasheed was arrested from the residence of former housing minister Mohamed Aslam.

According to Police, Nasheed locked the door of Aslam’s residence when he saw the Police. The Police stated that they asked him to open the door but he refused so they opened the door and arrested him according to the procedures to be followed in such situations. They added that there might be damages done to the door during the process.

Nasheed’s party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), called for nation-wide protests against the arrest. Nasheed and his supporters, local and international, allege that the case is “politically motivated” in an attempt to prevent him contesting the presidential elections in 2013.

Hulhumale’ Court issued the order to present him before court under police custody, to the hearing of the case scheduled on 9th September 2012, Tuesday evening 4:00 pm, in relation to unlawful arrest of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed this year.

The court trial has been obstructed twice by Nasheed’s non-appearance in court to face the charges. His lawyers also refused attend the court. The case is brought against him by the country’s independent Prosecutor General after an investigation by the independent Human Rights Commission which found Nasheed to be directly responsible for the arrest.

Immediately after he resigned Nasheed announced that he was ready to face any charges and that he had requested the courts to speed up the matter. However, when he received court summons for the start of the trial, Nasheed declared that the trial was politically motivated and his part, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) passed a declaration that the courts were defunct and that no member of the party would follow any court orders. Nasheed then left the capital on a campaign trip despite him being banned from leaving the capital. He accompanied by MDP MPs even though the Peoples’ Majlis was in session.

If Nasheed is found guilty of the charges he will face a jail sentence or banishment for three years or a MVR 3,000 fine, a sentence that would bar him from contesting future elections.

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