MDP

The state has said that MDP’s use of Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu was outside the limits of the permission granted by City Council.

Today’s hearing was for the state to defend against the charges made by MDP. The case submitted to civil court by MDP is regarding the dismantling of the camps set up by MDP at Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu.

Deputy Solicitor General of Attorney General’s Office Ahmed Usham said that City Council had leased the area to MDP on certain conditions, such as not disturbing the public, keeping their activities legal, and disrupting their activities for 20 minutes during prayer times.

Usham said that MDP had acted in violation of these conditions.

The state presented several videos as evidence. This included a CD including photos and videos taken by the Police when they raided the area, a CD including a video where MDP members in the area were calling for and encouraging crime, and CDs including videos of speeches made by former Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa and Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Rasheed. In addition, a video of Ibrahim Ismail of Ma. Boganvilla using obscene language was also presented at today’s hearing. Usham said that the videos show the conduct of illegal activities in the area.

Complain letters submitted by the public, indicating that they were disturbed due to the activities conducted at Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu, were also presented in court today.

Usham also said that the permission letter from City Council to MDP states the lease of only Tsunami monument area to MDP. However, MDP had been using blocks 10, 11, as well as the former voice of Maldives block. These areas are not included in the Tsunami monument area in any official chart of Male’.

Moreover, Usham said that City Council had leased Tsunami monument area to MDP against the regulations governing decentralised institutions. He said that the regulation indicates that land spaces cannot be leased to be used for political purposes.

Usham also questioned the legitimacy of the case filed by MDP, saying that a resolution passed by MDP in 2010 states that any case filed by MDP must be endorsed by the party’s Chairperson, President or Vice President. However this case was endorsed by MDP Interim Chairperson.

MDP defended their case by saying that City Council had leased the entire area, and not just the Tsunami monument area, to MDP.

In addition, MDP had been using this area for a long time, and City Council had never objected because they were occupying more than the Tsunami monument area.

MDP also said that they were using the area for peaceful activities, and that the dismantling of their camp by police and defence forces was illegal.

MDP pointed out that a political activity can only be put to an end by a court order; however the police and defence forces were not following any court order or warrant. Also, the accusations by the police of finding alcohol bottles and weapons in the area are false, and these claims have not been proven in court. As such, the police had no authority to raid the area and remove their belongings.

Judge of Civil Court Aisha Shujoon Mohamed ended today’s hearing by announcing that the next hearing on this case will be held on Thursday.