Judiciary is used for political purposes - Anni

01 December 2007
Report: Ayya


MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) has said that Maldivian judiciary is used for political purposes. He made the statement to Miadhu when asked about the release issued by the party which called on the government to stop the prosecution of party’s members.

Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) said more than 700 of the party members are held in detention without a trail. Anni said that the details of their trial have been forwarded to international agencies. In this regard the matter has been taken up with UN, Human Rights Commission of Geneva, commonwealth and ambassadors of friendly nations.

Anni said according to international standard, a fair trial can only be held only when the suspected person’s matter is forwarded to court without delay. According to Anni the trial of more than 700 MDP members has been going on from 2005 and because of the delay the fairness is highly questionable.

“We consider these totally unfair because of long delay, now our members will be sentenced under the Penal Code, now all these talks about revising the penal code, that the code is good enough, these are talks which we heard 10 years ago. All of the experts who studied the judicial system have said that under the existing system no body would any justice” said Anni.

Anni told Miadhu in his last meeting with Aneesa, he discussed the issue with Minister Aneesa, Minister at the president’s office. Anni said during that meeting he told Aneesa to convey to President Gayoom to release these people.
“Judiciary is being used for political reason. It is like saying we teach you a lesson tomorrow” said Anni.

Anni further said in 2006 at the discussions held at the residence of the High Commission of UK it was agreed to drop charges on the detained MDP members. At the discussions held at West minister House of Colombo Maldives was represented by New Maldives group.