Dr. Shainee: Police went to Yaagoothuge upon request from Correctional

Dr. Mohamed Shainee, who is temporarily in charge of the Home Ministry, has said that the Police went into Yaagoothuge, the residence of President Nasheed where he was under house arrest, during the former President’s transfer to prison last night after the Maldives Correctional Service made a request.

Speaking at a press conference at the Home Ministry, Dr. Shainee said that the Maldives Correctional Service was following procedure when they went to transfer the former President Nasheed to prison. But a group of people impeded their work and four officers from the Correctional Service that went into Yaagoothuge was held “hostage”.

“From that point on, as per the procedure, assistance was requested from the Police. Police came and controlled the situation on scene before they left. But after some events took place, they (the Police) returned for the safety of President Nasheed as well, to assist up to the launch.” Dr. Shainee said.

Speaking at that press conference, Commissioner of Prisons, Mohamed Hisham said that the officers from the Correctional Services went to Yaagoothuge and requested to meet President Nasheed. In response, the former president asked to give him 15 minutes.

“Then, even after half an hour he couldn’t meet with us. So our team wanted to leave. That place (Yaagoothuge) didn’t give that opportunity to our team either. From that point we had to call and work with the Police.” Husham said.

President Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison in March 2015 for ordering the abduction of the Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed in 2012 as the commander in chief, during his presidency.