Umar calls to speed up criminal procedure for arson attacks in islands

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Interim Vice President Umar Naseer has called to speed up the criminal procedure for the people responsible for the arson attacks in Addu and several other islands on 8 February.

Speaking at a PPM function held in Fuvahmulah last night, Umar expressed concern that three months had passed without these cases being looked into, and said that the country will lag behind in development if such issues are ignored:

“Three months have passed, and no punishment has been given to those responsible for setting fire to several buildings and over seventy vehicles all over the country. This is not good for the country’s development. Why is it taking such a long time, is it because of democracy? Or human rights? I don’t understand why the state can’t do this.”

Umar continued to express concern that no rulings had been issued for people responsible for damage worth over Rf200m, and said that in the UK, courts were in session in the middle of the night to prosecute people responsible for arson attacks, during which verdicts were issued for 1000 criminals:

“The courts in London were open in the middle of the night. Verdicts were issued for a total of 1000 people. Over 3100 people were arrested. The 1000 people were even taken to high court for verdicts.”

He noted that people hesitate to take steps against criminals in the Maldives for fear of being labeled ‘too strict’, and emphasized that now is the time to issue the most severe punishments as allowed by the constitution for serious crimes.

“We need restoration of peace in our society for the country’s economic development. Foreign investors have to be assured that this is a peaceful place,” Umar said.

Umar said that the first step towards making the streets of Maldives a safe place, is to punish former President Mohamed Nasheed for his crimes.