Police investigates MP Zareer over alleged domestic violence

Maldives Police Service has launched an investigation against Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer over alleged domestic violence.

Whilst Zareer has become the subject of a serious domestic violence case – a Police Spokesperson confirmed to Sun today that the case is being investigated. However, the Spokesperson declined to disclose any further details.

Speaking to Sun, Zareer’s ex-wife Fathimath Shazra said that the 17-years or so duration of her marriage to Zareer was filled with agony.  

She further detailed of having experienced various abuses every single day she had spent as Zareer’s wife, starting from December 2002.

“Zareer was abusive towards me from the point I got pregnant with our first child after marriage. Upon finding out he physically abuses me, Zareer’s father had also told him to not subject someone’s daughter to such violence, and let go. The more this was said, the more violent he became towards me whilst I was pregnant. Even whilst being abused that much, I tolerated it,” she had said.

Noting that Zareer is an individual who easily chooses anger in petty fights between couples – Shazra said that the first time he had divorced her over an unreasonable issue is when their first child had turned four months old.

“Went back to his life after this following a lot of begging from Zareer, through friends and otherwise. Divorced me again after we got our second child, when that child was nine-months-old,”

“Then sent me abroad. Was brought back to Maldives after I gave birth to a third child – and divorced for the third time on Eid day of 2013. Therefore, became a triple talaq. That day, my brother had come to this house and took me with him. But Zareer came, and begged that it was for his children, so I went back,” she detailed.

Shazra said that although she remained with Zareer for the sake of her children – she was subject to various abuses in front of Zareer’s parents and his siblings during this period of time.

She added that there were times she had lost consciousness due to the violence she was subjected to.

Pointing out that the abuses she was experiencing from Zareer were most closely witnessed by her own family members – Shazra stressed that none of them had the courage to stand up in her defense and testify.

“Many times, what Zareer had done was shout at me in front of my parents, belittling me. But, they did not have the courage to say a single word back at him. Zareer’s influence was evident in my whole family. This is not a lie, I swear upon Almighty Allah,” she had said.

Speaking further, Shazra said that the couple’s three children who were growing up in this situation had been mentally impacted by it, to an extent.

“Since these children were subjected to mental abuse when growing up, the effects have now started to show from them. Gender has stated the same. All four of us were living in absolute mental agony,” she had said.

Shazra stated that the abuses she experienced from Zareer were conveyed to his parents as well.

She added that she now believes hiding and staying silent regarding the abuses she experienced was a huge mistake she had made in her life. However, she reasoned that she had endured the abuses all those years for the sake of her children’s future and their education.

Shazra stressed that she is speaking up now after having started a new life and having forgiven Zareer for his actions – over the increased number of inconveniences Zareer still keeps posing to her.

Refuting Shazra’s statements – Zareer told Sun that lying is in Shazra’s nature.

“Shazra is saying a blatant lie. I took care of all her matters even seven years from the divorce even. She was taken better care of than a Male’ Minister’s wife. Shazra is a pretty woman. If she was being abused, why would she stay with me for that long?” he had said.

Zareer said that the reason why he divorced Shazra for the third time was due to a physical altercation over a migrant caretaker working in their home.

Shazra had submitted this case to the Police as well.

Following her third divorce from Zareer, Shazra is presently happily married to someone else who she describes as a cure for wounds caused by her former husband. She added that she is experiencing the joy of a happy marriage for the first time.