Footage of only three cameras were obtained from MNDF: Saeed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s representative to the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) Gaha Ahmed Saeed has said that CCTV footage of only three cameras were received from Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for the CNI’s investigation.

Saeed, who resigned from the CNI less than 24 hours prior to the release of the report, said at a press conference last night that parts of the videos of two out of those three cameras had been removed.

He noted that there are eight CCTV cameras in total around MNDF HQ.

Saeed told reporters last night that no CCTV footage had been received of the incidents inside the President’s Office on 7 February, and the footage received of the camera near MNBC only showed events which transpired after 10:47 on 7 February.

He highlighted that interviews could not be obtained from some people, and some people did not want to share the information they had.

Saeed said that he had informed the UN and the Commonwealth of these issues on 26 July, which resulted in some changes; but by then, there was not much time left before the report had to be released.

Saeed stressed that he does not believe that the report is entirely valid.

The report, which was publicised yesterday, states that the change of President in the Maldives on 7 February 2012 was legal and constitutional, and that the events that occurred on 6 and 7 February 2012, were, in large measure, reactions to the actions of former President Nasheed.