Former President Nasheed has said that he views last night’s attack, not just as an attack on a journalist but as an assault on everyone who believes in democracy and media freedom.
A press statement released by Nasheed’s office today strongly condemned the violent attack on Raajje TV journalist Ibrahim Waheed (Asward) that happened last night. Mariya Ahmed Didi, President Nasheed’s spokesperson said: “President Nasheed sees this is not just an attack upon one brave journalist but an assault on everyone who believes in democracy and media freedom.”
Last night’s first attacks were aimed at MBC Deputy Editor Aishath Leeza and Journalist Aminath Saanee, who were subjected to a packet of thinner (a volatile solvent used to make paint or other solutions less viscous) while covering the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protests in Sosun Magu near Majeediyya School. The second attack was made on Raajje TV head of news Ibrahim Waheed (Aswaad) while he was travelling in a motor cycle near Artificial Beach last night. Ibrahim Waheed was brutally injured after he received a blow in the head with a long iron rod. He has now been taken to Sri Lanka for further treatment.
Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid has also condemned last night’s attacks. A tweet made by Shahid stated that he is shocked and appalled by the recent spate of brutal attacks on journalists and that it is a threat to the basic human right of freedom of expression.