Former Defence Minister summoned by the Police

The Maldives Police Service has today summoned former Defence Minister Thal’hath Ibrahim Kaleyfaanu for questioning over the issue of arresting Criminal Court Chief Judge.

Thal’hath was summoned today at 2 o’clock, and he was accompanied by an attorney, Noorban Fahmy, sister of Alhan Fahmy the Deputy President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

After the Police gave him leave, Thal’hath spoke to the media in front of Shaheed Hussain Adam Building, and affirmed that he was questioned about the arrest of Chief Judge Abdullah Muhammed. He said that he had used “the right to remain silent without answering any questions” in response to police questions.

“My lawyer advised me to remain silent without answering any of their questions”, said Thal’hath.

Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdullah Muhammad was arrested by the Maldivian military on the 16th of January this year, and he was kept in military custody despite orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court of the Maldives to release him immediately.

Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam, Police Media Official, told that the Police would question anybody who needs to be questioned for in relation to ongoing investigations.

The Police requested for arrest warrants against former President Mohamed Nasheed and Thal’hath on the 9th of last February, and those warrants were issued by the Criminal Court. However, the police have not yet realized the warrants, and have said that they have the legal discretion to arrest individuals in pursuance of warrants that they have.

Ibrahim “Hoara Ibbe” Rasheed, who served as Under-Secretary of the President’s Office during the presidency of Nasheed, was also summoned today by the police, to be questioned over the issue of liquor bottles found at Mulee’aage the official Presidential residence the day Nasheed resigned. Rasheed was also given leave after being questioned.