Opposition MPs request Prosecutor General to take action against MDP oppression

Some opposition Members of Parliament have submitted a case to the Prosecutor General (PG) requesting the latter’s office to look into the matter of ruling MDP supporters and Members of Parliament “barricading opposition MP’s within the Majlis chambers by the use of force”.

The incident occurred when the Z Faction, a break-away group of dissenters in the main opposition Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) vowed to disrupt Majlis sessions to protest against-the-rules decisions by the Speaker, and started to act upon their vow. On Wednesday Z Faction MPs tried to disrupt the session, and the Speaker adjourned the session.

However, ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters gathered around the Majlis building to oppose the adjournment of the session, and MDP Members in the Majlis bolted chamber doors and refused to let anyone out. In the ensuing dispute, opposition MPs were, according to their reports to PG yesterday, physically and psychologically abused and oppressed.

About 20 opposition MPs belonging to the Z Faction submitted their complaint and request via a letter addressed to the PG. They met PG Ahmed Muizz yesterday at around 2:45 pm, at PG Office.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Ahmed Mahloof, MP for Galolhu Dhekunu, Malé constituency, and prominent leader of the Z Faction said that they had submitted complaints about MDP activists locking Majlis Gate and causing physical injury to some MPs too.

“When MDP MPs locked Majlis chambers, and their activists gathered around the Majlis, which is an area where any kind of such gatherings or demonstrations are strictly forbidden by the law, many were injured. They even barricaded the Deputy Speaker who is entitled to security, and we believe that these are criminal offences. We have now filed a written request at PG Office to look into the matter and take all necessary actions”, said Mahloof.

When MDP activists carried out protests in the Majlis building area on the 12th and 13th of this month, chaos followed in which reportedly MPs, some demonstrators and some police officers suffered various degrees of personal injury.