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Mohamed Nasheed sentenced without a trial to 2 years and 6 months banishment Report from Malé, Maldives November, 2001 Mohamed Nasheed At 11.30 am local time on November 8th, Mohamed Nasheed, the Member of Parliament for Malé, was charged by the Government for the theft of some items from a state-owned property (former President Ibrahim Nasir's private residence, called 'Velaanaage'). He was summarily sentenced soon after the charges were made, without any due process of law. While he was summarily sentenced for two and a half years for an alleged theft that never took place, none of those who also removed items from Velaanaage were arrested or charged by the authorities. Nasheed was taken from a holding cell located at the National Security Service quarters to a so-called civil court (Jinaai Court) under Police guard. He was formally charged at 11.30 am and the Judge, without allowing due course of a trial, sentenced Nasheed to be banished for 2 years and 6 months. This sentence was read out around 1.30 p.m. The whole process was over in about two and half hours. Mohamed Nasheed had never admitted to the charges of theft, and the Judge denied him his legal rights to present his case or respond to the charges made against him. The Police unlawfully arrested Mohamed Nasheed on the night of 8th October. His personal computer was also removed to the Police Station during this arrest. He was kept in solitary confinement and questioned. No official sources made this arrest public. However, a government-controlled daily ('Haveeru') carried a news item alleging that Nasheed had stolen several items the Velaanaage property. Umar Zahir This property had been taken over by the government and preparations were under way to auction an undisclosed number of items. When Nasheed, accompanied by a friend visited the premises of Velaanaage, several others were also there. Some were officials moving the items to be transferred to the auction site. Mr. Umar Zahir, the Minister for Construction was also present inside the compound. Some others were just curious members of the public. This was in broad daylight. The items that Nasheed picked from the jumble of goods were ordinary bric-a-brac. They were also items of historical value. Apart from being a popular member of parliament, Mohamed Nasheed is also a writer and an avid fan of History. At the time of his arrest, he was doing research for a book on the constitutional history of Maldives. According to most observers, Mahamed Nasheed's arrest was unlawful. His one-month detention by the Police also was conducted against all manners of justice. While he was summarily sentenced for two and a half years for an alleged theft that never took place, none of those who also removed items from Velaanaage were arrested or charged by the authorities. Local observers have pronounced this incident as a government-orchestrated frame up in order to get rid of Mohamed Nasheed. A bi-election is expected shortly, when a heavily choreographed event would result in the election of a pro-government candidate to fill Nasheed's chair as Malé Member. His supporters and family believe that the Government must release Mohamed Nasheed without further delays and also that his release must be unconditional, as he has not committed any crime. In a country where there is no social justice, this belief can only remain a wish. Government restrictions on local politics means there is no room for the free expression of opinions or thoughts. This gives the Government free reign to conduct their authoritarian rule that totally and effectively rejects universal values such as basic human rights. In the shadow of the September 11th attack on America, the Maldivian Government is eliminating all dissent and all probable opponents of their rule. While the International Community is engaged in resolving the biggest disaster in history, President Gayyoom and his cronies are covering up their acts of terror and placing themselves more securely in control of a subservient island community. top

Haveeru report of Nasheed's arrest Background information on Mohamed Nasheed - opposition politician, historian and journalist

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