The Government of Maldives does not agree with the Opinion formulated by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on the Submission made by the Col (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim. He stated this while speaking at a press conference held this afternoon at the President’s Office to brief the media on this issue.
Speaking to the press, the Foreign Minister stated that the Government of Maldives wished to note that Col (Rtd) Nazim’s trial was conducted as per the relevant laws and regulations governing the criminal justice system in the Maldives and that the Criminal Court’s sentence was upheld by both the High Court and the Supreme Court of the Maldives. He also underlined that the Maldives was an independent and sovereign State, and the Government called on everyone concerned to respect the verdicts of the courts of the Maldives.
Contrary to the WGAD, the Foreign Minister stated that, Col (Rtd) Nazim was not regarded as a political opponent when illegal firearms were discovered in his home and that in fact he was, at the time, the Minister of Defence and National Security. The Foreign Minister further highlighted that Col (Rtd) Nazim’s criticisms towards the Government began only after an independent investigation of his case was initiated.
Speaking at the press conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim stated that the details of these events were furnished in full to the WGAD by the Maldivian Government.
Furthermore, he stated that the Government also noted that the Working Group failed to take note of the fact that Col (Rtd) Nazim was not in prison; he had been under house arrest at his residence with his family since 21 April 2016.
Attorney General Uz Mohamed Anil also briefed the media; clarifying that no international agency can overrule the nation’s courts. He further stated that Col (Rtd) Nazim was ensured all the rights afforded to him by the constitution.