MDP accuses govt of protecting gangs after ‘politically motivated’ attack on PG Shameem

The main opposition MDP accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration of protecting criminals on Wednesday, saying that the alleged close ties between top government officials and criminal gangs were resulting in open violent assaults on top state officials.

The MDP made the accusation in a statement condemning the attack on Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem on Wednesday morning.

Shameem said attacked on a street in Male’ City. He is receiving treatment for his injuries at the ADK Hospital.

In a post on X, former Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the interim leader of MDP, described the attack as “politically motivated.”

“Politically motivated acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and I call on the government to be swift in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

I condemn the violent assault on Prosector General Hussain Shameem this morning. I wish PG Shameem a speedy recovery.

Politically motivated acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and I call on the government to be swift in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) January 31, 2024

In a separate statement, his party MDP accused President Muizzu’s administration of failure to provide proper protection to officials charged with fulfilling constitutional duties and responsibilities.

“This party also notes that after having successfully driven down violent assaults in the Maldives during the former administration, such crimes have increased after President Muizzu took office,” said the MDP.

The MDP said that violent crime has grown rampant during the current administration, and accused government officials of fostering close ties with criminal groups.

“This party believes that such fearless attacks on top state officials is a result of the close ties that top government officials have with criminal groups operating in the Maldives, and because of the protection the government provides these criminal groups,” said the party.

The MDP called on the government to severe its alleged ties with criminal groups, and to run a proper investigation into the attack on Shameem, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement that Shameem was attacked with a weapon by two people on a motorbike.

While neither the PGO nor the police have specified the type of weapon used, a police spokesperson had said earlier that they had ruled out the use of a sharp-edged weapon.

The PGO said that Shameem remains in hospital, but that is condition is stable.

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has strengthened his security in the wake of the attack.