Three MPs involved in assault at parliament inaugural session

When President Waheed left the parliament after spending six hours attempting to deliver the presidential address, the situation at the parliament was not as complicated as it was last year. MPs of MDP in the parliament hall, as well as supporters of MDP gathered on Sosun Magu, were yelling ‘traitor’ in chorus.

The parliamentary group members of MDP did not cause damage to parliament property today, but unexpectedly, assault and shouting took place in the parliament hall.

The parliament inaugural session had to be paused four times. The most surprising incident was the assault involving Mahchangolhi-South MP Mohamed Rasheed (Kubey), Madaveli MP Mohamed Nazim, and Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed.

The assault took place after the banner showing the words “Coup Boss”, held in a way that obstructed the view of the President from the parliament floor, was tugged by Riyaz Rasheed from the hands of the MPs of MDP that held it. Riyaz was then joined by Gemanafushi MP Ilham Ahmed.

MDP members tried to grab the banner from Riyaz and were thus challenged by Riyaz, leading to assault. They started pushing one another and Riyaz hit Kubey, who responded by hitting Riyaz back and snatching the banner from him.

At that moment, assault also took place between Riyaz and Nazim.

The TVs at the parliament hall were showing the assault between the MPs.

The incident was controlled by MPs of PPM and MDP, who took Riyaz to his chair. No MP sustained any injuries other than bruises in the incident.

Unrest also took place between Kubey and an MNDF security officer. The reason behind this assault was not clear to reporters watching from the eastern gallery of the parliament.

Before this assault took place, Kubey put a poster on the face of a security officer and pushed him. A security officer at the scene told Sun that the assault was a result of Kubey’s actions.

Reporters at the parliament hall saw the security officer running to leave the hall shortly after the incident. It was not clear why he was running, and MNDF officers refused to officially comment on the matter.

MDP said that the security officer purposefully hit Kubey.

Five MPs’ names were announced at the session today, for creating unrest. They left the hall after being advised by MNDF.

The MPs who were asked to leave the hall were Dhaandhoo MP Mohamed Riyaz, Maafannu-South MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bondey), Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir, Mahchangolhi-South MP Mohamed Rasheed (Kubey) and Henveyru-South MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor.

This year, the MPs whose names were announced did not attempt to forcefully remain in the hall.

Seventy two MPs were present when the session commenced this morning.

The only equipment that was damaged today was the microphone on the speaker’s desk, due to a vase hurled at it by MPs of MDP.

The vase knocked down a glass of water onto the microphone system causing it some damage, but it is not likely that the system would have to be replaced.