Opposition MP Ilham injured during a Majlis Committee meeting

Ilham Ahmed, opposition Member of Parliament and a prominent leader of the prospective Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), and former Deputy Leader of the main opposition Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) was injured today during a meeting of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the People’s Majlis.

Ilham, a close associate of former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom and an outspoken opponent of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party was injured, according to Ilham himself, by MDP MP Ibrahim Rasheed, who represents Maafannu Dhekunu Constituency at the Majlis.

Ilham was attacked with a glass thrown at him, which hit him in the left chest just below his shoulders, and which instantly cut his flesh open resulting in profuse bleeding.

“We started raising points of order, as Ismail Abdul Hameed, MP for Kaashidhoo, who was sentenced today, attended the Majlis meeting. MPs belonging to MDP were disappointed at that, and when the Majlis meeting was adjourned, I attended the meeting of the Committee. It was there that Ibrahim Rasheed threw two glasses at me, one of which hit me. The cut is bleeding even now”, said Ilham.

According to Ilham, a police forensic team was in the Majlis looking into the matter, and Ahmed Mohamed, the Secretary General of the People’s Majlis also confirmed the presence of police to investigate the matter.

Attempts to talk to Ibrahim Rasheed, the alleged assailant, have so far being futile.

The Meeting of the Majlis which was scheduled to resume at 11 o’clock after the adjournment was cancelled due to the incident.