Police probe obstruction to Ibu’s Hulhumale’ campaign

Leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu). (Photo/File/Sun)

Maldives Police Service has started investigating the incident in Hulhumale’ last Tuesday when two individuals obstructed presidential candidate, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) as he conducted door-to-door campaign.

The leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group, Ibu was confronted by two men on a motorbike as he walked down the street in the middle of a door-to-door campaign.

Ibu tried to avoid the confrontation and walked away.

Maldives Police Service announced in a tweet this Wednesday that the incident is under investigation by the police.

MPS is investigating the incident of obstruction to the political activities conducted by @MDPSecretariat nominated Presidential candidate Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in Hulhumale on 10/7/2018.
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) July 11, 2018

Speaking to “Sun”, Minister of Home Affairs, Azleen Ahmed said he condemns any such incident that may have taken place at the strongest of terms. He said that such incidents will be investigated as serious crimes if filed with the police.

A group of individuals confronted Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed in a similar incident during a recent door-to-door campaign activity by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in Male; City. Videos of the incident have been posted in social media.

MPS’ assurance it’s looking into the attack against Ibu comes after the Attorney General Mohamed Anil issued a statement this Wednesday urging all State agencies to provide services to all presidential candidates without any discrimination.

Anil instructed Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Public Service Media (PSM), and Maldives Police Service to provide State resources to all presidential candidates equally, as stated in Maldivian laws.

He instructed that all candidates be provided safety and security by the State, and provided resources, streets of islands, public spaces and State properties and land for campaign purposes without discrimination.