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Election jitters provoke arrest of journalist in Maldives Maldives Culture special report 15 July 2003 A senior journalist in Maldives, Adam Haleem, was arrested this month by the National Security Service (NSS). Haleem, 26, works for Haveeru daily newspaper, and is assistant editor of Haveeru's fortnightly Dhivehi news magazine Huvaas. He was arrested at night on 3 July 2003, and later placed under house arrest for an indefinite period. Reliable sources claim Haleem's arrest was related to reporting a story about the unofficial burial of a foetus in Dhiddhoo island on the far northern Haa Alifu atoll. The story appeared in Huvaas several months ago, when Haleem wrote that the Island Office in Dhiddhoo had not properly investigated the burial. The Malé government asked the Haa Alifu Atoll Office to investigate the matter, but sources allege that Atoll Chief Ahmed Saavy, a former prosecutor, decided to cover up the case to protect the Island Chief of Dhiddhoo, Adam Saeed, who was responsible for burying the child without an investigation. The sources claim Atoll Chief Saavy informed the President's Office that there was no case to answer, and the President's Office then ordered the NSS to interrogate the reporter, Adam Haleem. Haleem is believed to have refused to reveal the identity of his informants and, sources allege, he was then threatened with arrest for spreading libel to incite the people against the government. Correspondents to this website have expressed surprise that Adam Haleem is being blamed for spreading a story which is a 'publicly known secret' on Dhiddhoo. They believe the real reason behind the arrest is the impending selection of the next President by the Majlis, and the following referendum. President Gayyoom is expecting to be selected again, with as much public approval as he and his supporters can muster, and island chiefs play an important role in this process. The Maldive Information Minister Ibrahim Maniku, who is married to the sister of First Lady Nasreena Ibrahim, is also the Majlis member for Haa Alifu atoll, and sources allege it is in his political interest to protect Atoll Chief Ahmed Saavy and Island Chief Adam Saeed. Maldive island chiefs are renowned for their ability to provide voting blocks during elections. |
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Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
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