February 13، the night former President and the leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison، some members of the party leadership were ‘clapping’ and celebrating، said Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb.
Condemning the leadership for the act، Ahmed Adeeb made his statement during the celebration of the by-election win by the ruling parties، PPM and MDA، held at Artificial Beach last night.
Adeeb said several senior members of MDP left the protest the night Nasheed was sentenced، and they were at a bigger ‘party’، for celebration.
He alleged the ‘party’ was organized by the former DRP and JP faction who joined MDP.
“A trusted source says they celebrated that night. This is sad news. DRP faction، JP faction and another faction celebrated that night، whilst being at the front line of the party،” the deputy leader of PPM، Adeeb said.
Adeeb further said the some of the ‘said members’ held a secret meeting with Prosecutor General’s Office officials to discuss pressing more charges against Nasheed، including the cases of detaining President Abdulla Yameen in Aarah، detaining JP leader Qasim Ibrahim، and ‘locking down’ of the parliament and Supreme Court، during his regime.
“These people are planning to sentence him 15، by 15. They are planning to sentence him to 60 years in jail. I condemn that،” Adeeb said.
In addition، Adeeb said the senior members of MDP want to run for the presidential election in 2018 on MDP ticket. He said the PPM candidate in 2018 will still be President Abdulla Yameen، and the elections would be won in one round.