Police have said that the case pertaining to former President Mohamed Nasheed’s phone conversation, where he is heard encouraging the organising of a gang to attack the Police, is under investigation.
Police have today, following a Criminal Court order, exposed a phone call between Nasheed and MP Mariya Ahmed Didi which took place on the day the Police attempted to dismantle Usfasgandu.
Superintendent of Police Mohamed Riyaz said that Mariya Didi has already been questioned in relation to this case, and that Nasheed will be questioned within the week.
Riyaz said that if Nasheed refuses to cooperate, the case will be sent to the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office based on the information in hand.
Moreover, instead of being summoned to the Police station, Nasheed will be accorded the opportunity to have the Police present at any location of his choice to obtain his statement.
Riyaz said that the phone conversation was exposed following a court order and within the limits of the law.
He said that the phone call can be used as evidence in Court.
In the conversation exposed by the Police, Mariya Didi is heard saying, “Protesters are being pushed back using pepper spray and other things. That’s why we haven’t been able to hold the National Council meeting. We have received another letter at the office, saying that it should be vacated by 10pm tonight. There is nothing more that can be done. The National Council meeting cannot be held, quorum requirement is not met!”
She then asks Nasheed what to do next.
Nasheed replies, “There’s nothing much to do! I don’t really know. What can we possibly do? [...] I think the best thing to do is, if we can get together a fighting gang, to get them to go out and fight. Because I really think that the solution is to fight. If we can get a group, they should be sent out to fight. Find a fighters gang in Male’ and get them to assault the Police. This is what I think is right. I don’t know if we can find such a group. But I want them attacked.”
Police said that the recording was obtained through a Court order following intelligence information received on 29 May.