Motion on leaked videos kicked out – Parliament session heats up

The Parliament session on Monday got heated up after two motions submitted on the explicit videos leaked over the past week, allegedly of multiple Parliamentarians were kicked out.

The session was presided by Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed, who revealed that two motions have been received regarding the videos circulating on social media.

He went on to state that there was no room for debate on the videos as their authenticity has not yet been assured.

The emergency motions were submitted by, Ahmed Shiyam, Nolhivarum MP who is from the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and independent member MP of Mohamed Nasheed.

“The Police have not determined the authenticity of those pictures. I do not believe there is room in this Parliament to assume those are real and to debate on it,” said Speaker Nasheed.

Moreover, he said that while the reality of how the images were produced has not been determined, it was against the principles and culture of Maldives for any state institution to take action that could be defamatory towards any individual.

Subsequently, Nasheed proceeded to another item on the agenda – questioning the Minister of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure.

Although Maavashu MP Mohamed Saeed and MP Shiyam were scheduled to question the Minister, both refused as the motions were thrown out of the Parliament.

The issue got heated, with members gathering near the area where the speaker and administrative staff are seated, and the Housing Minister ended up leaving the Parliament floor. Due to this, Nasheed halted the session, and it resumed only after a break.

The motion submitted by MP Shiyam called to investigate the issue of sexual relations between the same sexes as it was illegal by the Maldivian Constitution, irrespective of anyone who is involved in it.

Videos and photos of at least three well-known individuals engaging in sex were leaked on social media over the weekend.

The first was a video that allegedly shows Ahmed Nazim Abdul Sattar, a prominent lawyer and the younger brother of Parliament speaker, former president Mohamed Nasheed, having sex with a Bangladeshi man.

The second was a photo that allegedly shows South Henveiru MP Hussain Shaheem (Andhun Hussain) naked on a bed with a man and a woman.

The third was the video which allegedly shows former journalist Naseer.

Police have stated they are investigating a blackmail case, involving multiple victims.