Will not step back in bringing those responsible for attacks on journalists to justice: President

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has assured that the government will not step back in bringing those responsible for attacks on three local journalists to justice.

In a press statement released by the President’s Office tonight, President Dr. Mohamed Waheed condemned last evening’s attacks on three local journalists in the strictest terms and said that the government would not step back in bringing to justice those responsible for this act of brutality.

The statement further stated that the President expressed his concern for the attacks targeting journalists in the midst of the political whirlpool the Maldives, and that said that continuing such disgraceful acts would result in media freedom being challenged, and that there was a possibility of endangering the Maldives’ media.

In his statement, President Waheed called upon everyone to respect each other’s political views and called on the media to encourage stability, unity and harmony in the country.

“I take this opportunity to call upon all parties to end to the violence taking place in Male’. All parties not encourage violence, to prioritize the country and the safety of its people. I especially advise the political parties to pay special attention to this end. I believe that the political disagreements will not be settled by creating violence and committing assault on the streets,” statement by the President’s Office stated.

The president also assured that the government will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice, and said that he will extend all necessary support to the organization in the Maldives who work for the development of the journalism and media.

“I wish a speedy recover to Ibrahim Waheed, who sustained serious injuries and is in critical condition, and is being treated in Sri Lanka. I also wish a speedy recovery to Deputy Editor of MBC Aishath Leeza, and journalist of MBC Aminath Shani, who too sustained injuries during last night’s attacks,” the President stated.