His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that former defence minister Moosa Ali Jaleel was dismissed from office not for having any relation with the explosion aboard the presidential launch.
Addressing the nation for the first time since the explosion aboard presidential launch، President Yameen said that the rule among the police since generations is that import of gunpowder and managing it is the responsibility of the police، however، Moosa Ali Jaleel attempted to change this.
President Yameen said that Moosa Ali Jaleel was dismissed for giving import rights of gunpowder to MMPRC and that this arrangement was made without the knowledge of the President.
“That was done in a very sorrowful manner”، said the President noting that the firework shipment imported by MMPRC was cleared hurriedly.
President also said that Fayaz who was first arrested with regards to the launch incident share family relations with Moosa Ali Jaleel and that he believes that if Moosa Ali Jaleel remained in his position، it would interfere with the investigation.
Moosa Ali Jaleel is the second defence minister of President Yameen’s government. Moosa Ali Jaleel was also included in the inquiry commission assigned by the President earlier for the investigation into explosion aboard presidential launch.