Police summon Dr. Hassan Saeed and Umar Naseer

The Maldives Police Services has summoned Dr. Hassan Saeed, President of the Divehi Qawmee Party (DQP) and Umar Naseer, Interim Deputy President of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).

Two of the most prominent opposition leaders have been summoned by the police, supposedly to be questioned with regards to an investigation being conducted by the police. However, the police have not communicated to them any further details about the matter being investigated.

The two are to appear before the police tomorrow morning, at 9 o’clock.

The notice of summon was signed by a senior officer of the Serious and Organized Crimes Department of the Maldives Police Services.

Both Dr. Hassan and Umar spoke at the special ceremony held last night by the opposition parties to mark the National Day, and both of them heavily criticized the Government for undermining rule of law, continuously intimidating and threatening courts and judges, and disregarding the basic tenets of Islam.

The Government has recently arrested major opposition leaders often, including daily arrests of some opposition leaders in disrespect of repeated court orders to release them. Two days ago, Abdullah Yamin, PPM Parliamentary Group Leader, was also summoned by the police and questioned “with regards to an investigation being conducted by the police”.