MDP activists vandalize former President

The protests conducted this evening by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), supposedly to “reform the Maldivian Judiciary” was redirected towards the private residence of former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom as a vandalizing mob attack. The attacks caused harm to the house and resulted in clashes that injured a number of individuals as well.

MDP’s National Council today passed a resolution calling Party activists to go out for a protest in front of the Supreme Court to voice condemnation of the courts, after the Supreme Court decided to conduct a hearing of a case filed by prominent opposition leader Umar Naseer against Mohamed “Thimarafushi” Mustafa, a senior leader of MDP.

After the hearing at the Supreme Court was concluded for today, around 4:30 pm, the protesters suddenly marched towards former President’s private residence, Enderimaage, with megaphones, shouting curses and threatening those inside the house. What followed was a confrontation between the vandals and security personnel at Enderimaage, and considerable damage to the property, including broken windows due to stones thrown at the house.

MDP activists caused considerable damage to Enderigas, a next-door residence near Enderimaage and owned by a family member of Maumoon as well, and broke windows, caused damage to a garage and a car parked in it as well. Also, the mob attacked Alivaage, the private residence of Ilyas Ibrahim, the brother of Maumoon’s wife, causing damage to a garage in the property.

Although some policemen went to the scene of vandalism, no one was arrested, and the majority of riot-police kept their ground near the two adjacent buildings that house the courts. A media official at the Maldives Police Services said that the Police had fulfilled its duty very well, and police ranks were mobilized at the places where they were needed.

Moosa “Reeko” Manik, the Interim Chairperson of MDP and Mariya Ahmed Didi, senior leader and former Chairperson of MDP led the protests, while a number of State Ministers and Malé City Council Members, all belonging to MDP, were seen in the protests.

Meanwhile, former President Maumoon said that the damage caused to his private residence during a protest organized by MDP was something perpetrated by the government behind the mask of MDP. Speaking to DhiTV, Maumoon said that it was the government that sent attackers to harm his family and home. He also said that no police or other security personnel had come to protect him and his family and home.