Umar reports Falah to police for “thief” comment

Former Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has reported Unguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah for libel after getting called a “thief”.

Falah, Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) made the comments during a party function held at Dharubaaruge last Tuesday night.

In his speech, Falah criticized former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Leader of Jumhoory Party Qasim Ibrahim, before moving on to criticize Umar Naseer – who had been President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s Minister of Home Affairs before resigning and announcing his intention of becoming a presidential candidate.

“Now take a look at Umar Naseer. He won’t say anything. You look at how multiple shadow corporations were set up for 10 to 15 days during “Minivan 50” celebrations. But he accuses others of being corrupt. Umar, take me to court if you dare. I can prove it. But he won’t go to court. He won’t go,” said Falah. “He himself robs and calls others thieves. This is sad. This is pathetic.”

Following the comments, Umar sent a letter to Commissioner of Police Ahmed Areef this Wednesday morning, in which he wrote that Falah defamed him by calling him a “thief” in a function which was telecasted live to the entire country through Television Maldives and Channel 13.

Umar said he was defamed by Falah who accused him of something which hasn’t been proven by any agency or institution.

He said no “Minivan 50” project was handed over to any business which he, his wife, or any of his children had a stake in.

“I inform you that in my tenure as minister, I have never bid any of ministry’s projects to any such company. I have never, in any form, handed over any such work,” wrote Umar in his letter to Areef.

“Minivan 50” projects are currently under investigation by Anti-Corruption Commission for any evidence of corruption.