It was Defence Ministry

Former President Nasheed has issued a statement to Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) for their investigation of the illegal arrest and detention of Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed (Judge Abdulla) in Girifushi.

After attending HRCM today for their investigation of Judge Abdulla’s case, Nasheed told reporters that HRCM wanted to question Mohamed Nasheed of G. Keneryge regarding an ongoing investigation.

Nasheed said that he has given a statement to HRCM in order to cooperate with them in their investigation. He noted that several cases regarding Judge Abdulla had been submitted by President’s Office to Judicial Service Commission and Police. He said that he is informed that Judge Abdulla refused to comply when summoned for these investigations.

Nasheed said that the decision to isolate Judge Abdulla was made by Ministry of Defence, and not the President. Nasheed monitored the condition of Judge Abdulla while he was held in detention, and facilitated HRCM to do the same whenever they requested for it.

“When Judge Abdulla was summoned and he failed to produce himself, Home Minister sent a letter to Defence Minister, saying that Judge Abdulla’s presence in the courts is a threat to national security. Therefore the decision to isolate him was a decision made by the Defence Ministry. After that I was monitoring if he was exposed to any violation of human rights,” Nasheed said.

Member of Nasheed’s legal team Mariya Ahmed Didi said HRCM’s letter to Nasheed summoned Mohamed Nasheed of G. Keneryge for the investigation of a case related to Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed. As Mohamed Nasheed of Keneryge is a common citizen, it is not clear if HRCM wishes to question him regarding his position or the rights of Abdulla Mohamed.

Nasheed’s legal team is made up of Mariya Didi, Maafannu Dhekunu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, Abdulla Haseen, Deputy Solicitor of Attorney General’s Office Hishan Hassan and Hassan Latheef.

Mariya also said that the Commission asked Nasheed if he would like to comment on the events of 7 and 8 February. This indicates that HRCM considers the events of 7 and 8 February to be simple and of not much significance, and Mariya therefore advised them to consider changing their way of doing things.

When Nasheed arrived at HRCM with his legal team today, all members of HRCM except Fathimath Jeehan were out of the country.