Government has claimed that former President Mohamed Nasheed has been attempting to hide the criminal offenses carried under his regime – and deceive the world about it.
The state had answered to the questions raised by the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention following the case filed by on former President Mohamed Nasheed’s behalf. Following the meeting with the UN’s committee، ambassador at the European Union Mr. Ahmed Shiyan stated the prosecution charges set against Mohamed Nasheed is over his deliberate action of forcefully kidnapping a court judge against his consent – adding the prosecution is not political however based on criminal offenses.
According to the rebuttal of Mr. Shiyan، the prime focus in a democracy is to instill law and justice equally towards every one and any offender of law should be subjected to penalization based on the crime. He also stated that، Nasheed had continued to threat over using security personnel to remove and kidnap the judge even after following the incident.
Post presenting required documents to the UN group، Shiyan had stated the prosecution trial of Nasheed has been a transparent one just like the case of any other offender. He also added that Nasheed was arrested under the globally accepted standards، however his advocacy team is still under a false impression about the incident.
Mr. Shiyan had also asserted that the defendant received enough time to gather evidence and proof to back their claims as the trial took place this year، while the kidnapping had taken place back in 2012.
Government had also claimed that during Nasheed’s regime، he had misused the power in influencing and coercing the legislative powers. The state had also added that under Nasheed’s regime، Supreme Court was sealed off along with the legislature suspended as well as Attorney General’s office brought under President Office’s administration.
Furthermore Mr. Shiyan had spoken on behalf of the government stating the democracy is still at its infant stage at Maldives and the country will require the support and assistance from international bodies to make it more responsible and adequate.
Toby Cadman، a partner from Omnio Strategy – consultation firm hired over the case – had stated that the claims and points raised by Nasheed’s defense are baseless and they still have the chance of appealing the case.
Mr. Cadman had also added that former President Mohamed Nasheed had not used his chance over an appeal and his current claims of government’s denial of providing room for appeal is another baseless fallacy as well.
In addition to this، he highlighted over Nasheed’s defense stating that they had not been able to appeal over the lack of documents، however the documents were not proceeded forward due to Nasheed’s lawyers refusing to sign on the needed documents. He also pointed out that Nasheed’s lawyers had received needed documents over the case back in 2012، and the claims of Nasheed’s defense not receiving apt time to answer for the terrorism charges for which Nasheed was prosecuted on، were also incorrect facts.