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article and translation archive updated 28 May 2003 Several readers have contacted the editors asking for information on the escaped Maldive political prisoner, Ibrahim Luthfee. Below are links to Maldives Culture's extensive archive of articles and translations based on Luthfee's experiences. Luthfee's letters (10 parts) Ibrahim Luthfee's arrest, imprisonment and court legal battles against the Maldive Minister of Health Ahmed Abdullah and the NSS in Malé 1997-1999. The Luthfee letters Part 1 Ibrahim Luthfee's first serious encounter with the Maldive police and court system was in 1997 when a rental dispute, over the home of Luthfee and his family, brought him into conflict with the Minister of Health Ahmed Abdullah and other powerful officials who wanted the building for the Miadhu editorial officers. The alleged behaviour of NSS officers exposes their role as enforcers of ministerial business interests. The Luthfee letters Part 2 Ismail Zahir assaults Ibrahim Luthfee at the Civil Court, and Luthfee is detained again at Gaamaadhoo and Maafushi prisons. The Luthfee letters Part 3 Court administrator sabotages Maldives High Court proceedings. The Luthfee letters Part 4 NSS ignores official Presidential and Court instructions. The Luthfee letters Part 5 Officer overcome by tears after NSS accused of perjury in Luthfee trial. The Luthfee letters Part 6 Upset mothers and crying policeman prompt Ibrahim Luthfee's return to Maafushi prison. The Luthfee letters Part 7 Malé magistrate and court administration staff join NSS harassment campaign against Ibrahim Luthfee. The Luthfee letters Part 8 The horrors of Maafushi prison in Maldives. The Luthfee letters Part 9 Ibrahim Luthfee's wife sexually harassed by NSS police and fanditha man. The Luthfee letters Part 10 Arrest and detention practices of the Maldive NSS police. Luthfee's letters to the President, the Attorney-General,
and the Minister of Justice
Islamic trial or Hindi raga? Ibrahim Luthfee's letter to the Maldives Justice Minister Ahmed Zahir No Legal Weight Ibrahim Luthfee's letter to the Attorney General Dr Mohamed Munavvar. Ibrahim Luthfee's letter to President Maumoon Gayyoom Sandaanu – translations and government response
Sandhaanu English translation 'might give a distorted view' 'What concerns me though is what you have left out, and how the English translation might give a distorted view to outsiders of the nature of some of the political opposition in the Maldives. To be specific, the writer of the article is very much motivated by a desire to see Maldives governed in terms of a purer form of Islam.' English translations from Sandhaanu: Maldives most wanted magazine 15 October 2001 Sandhaanu editorial Dark shadows fall across the lives of political party promoters 15 October 2001 'Everywhere, Maldivian megaphones bleat a constant tune about the exemplary and enviable democracy in this country. Let us now consider the facts of the matter.' Day of Judgment problems loom for Maldives' President Gayyoom 2001 'Criticism of the government is not possible under the present system, and if someone happens to say something in the presence of the wrong person, that criticism then poses a serious threat to life and property.' The face of the Maldives military dictatorship 24 August 2001 'These people claim continuously that there is progress and development in the country. Go and see the extent of the poverty in the islands of the atolls! Most of these islands are infested with mosquitoes and have no reliable electricity supplies. If there is no fishing, then these people starve.' Financial Mayhem and Madness at MIFCO 15 October 2001 'What we need in Maldives is to invest in and expand the fishing industry on a large scale. Fishing is traditional to Maldives, tourism is a foreign thing and should not be seen as a permanent industry. The world is always headed for a war, and when that a war starts, there will be no tourism. So why is the government refusing to allow a private company into the fishing industry? If there is indeed a legitimate government then why does it endlessly mislead its people?' Maldives government response to Sandhaanu and human rights criticism: Kotari Chat with the NSS November 2001 'Asheeth: fuck... fuck your fundamental norms Asheeth: we have power and we will do what ever we want ok Asheeth: and who the hell u ppl can do Asheeth: just nothing' Maldives Amnesty International Alert on Political Arrest and Torture allegations 11 February 2002 Amnesty International report on Sandhaanu related arrests. More allegations of torture in Maldives February 2002 Ibrahim Luthfee allegedly tortured at National Security Services' headquarters in Malé. Maldives writer demands 500 year life sentence from Malé court 10 July 2002 'No defence by the prisoners or lawyers was allowed at the trial on Sunday, and Luthfee appealed to the judge to increase his sentence from 25 to 500 years, stating that it was his desire to remain in gaol until President Gayyoom was out of office. Everyone inside the court burst out laughing.' New ideas, new leadership for Maldives 2003 January 2003 'History provides evidence of humanity's hardships and struggle for freedom. The stronger have made the weaker their slaves, their subjects and captives. Through long and hard struggle, certain communities have achieved some measure freedom, and their lives seem better. They live fearlessly in their communities and they have the right to question their rulers. They have made their rulers accountable to their people. Shouldn't this be called civilised?' Government-imposed barriers to media freedom in Maldives April 2003 'Editors live in a perpetual fear in Maldives because they can be arrested and imprisoned following the publication of content which the government labels as unfavourable. Editors can also be summoned to the Information ministry, questioned and warned.' Ibrahim Luthfee escapes – Maldive political prisoner disappears from Colombo hotel during medical treatment 28 May 2003 'Recalling the torments back in jail, I cannot bear the heavy torture I have to face on my return, and I decided to escape from the hotel.' |
Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
Contributions and comments - mc_editors@hotmail.com
