Vice President

Leader of opposition party DRP Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said today that Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik’s speech regarding the current political situation of the country has damaged the reputation of the victim Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed, and encouraged the offenders who caused him harm.

Thasmeen expressed dismay over the fact that the Vice President defended the government’s actions regarding Judge Abdulla’s case. He noted that the Vice President is the second most senior person to protect uphold and the country’s Constitution.

“Judge Abdulla, who was arrested by the Police in violation of the Constitution, remains under arrest. In Dr Waheed’s speech today, he said that the Judicial Service Commission holds the biggest responsibility with regard to this case. In reality, it is the institution which acted in violation of the Constitution in making this arrest that holds the biggest responsibility.”

Thasmeen said that while the person arrested is an important figure in the country’s justice system, it is not acceptable that the Vice President’s statements were formulated such that they reduce the importance of this issue, damage the reputation of the person involved, and encourage the offenders who carried out this activity.

Thasmeen said that it is not acceptable that the Vice President called for an end to the protests against the illegal arrest of an individual. He repeatedly said that DRP does not wish hold discussions with the government regarding this issue.

“If we comply with the government’s requests to hold discussions when they are holding guns to our heads, they will hold guns to our heads in every situation in the future.”

He said that he would, however, respect a decision by opposition groups to go into dialogue with the government, and would then discuss with DRP Council to come to a decision.

Speaking at a Press Conference held today at the President’s Office, Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik called to release Abdulla Mohamed, and to suspend him from work until Judicial Service Commission makes a decision on his case.