Direct Action protests were halted, to prepare for a mass protest on the day CNI publishes report: Abbas Adil Riza

Government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has said that Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) halted its Direct Action series of protests in order to prepare for a mass protest on the day the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) publishes its report.

Abbas said that the government will note how sincere MDP is in relation to its announcement to halt the protests.

He also said that despite halting the protests, MDP was still harassing senior officials of the government, Police officers, and MNDF officers; and that the President will not participate in the All-part-talks as long as these activities continue.

He claimed that MDP halted the protests due to reduction in the size of their crowds, and also to rest before the mass protest mass protest on the day the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) publishes its report.

He said that MDP’s announcement that it had halted the protests, is deceiving.

MDP announced last night that following the advice of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Steering Committee, MDP presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed had decided to halt the Direct Action protests until the end of Ramadan, as the final ten days of Ramadan should be spent in prayers, and also to allow the resumption of all-party-talks.