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Mohamed Nasheed exiled to Angolhitheemu in Raa atoll by Michael O'Shea, Australia 29 November 2001
On 26 November the Department of Corrections instructed Nasheed to be ready to leave from house arrest at his home in Malé to begin his sentence of two and a half years exile. Last month Nasheed was found guilty of the theft of discarded rubbish at the auction of the house of ex-President Ibrahim Nasir. However, Maldivian observers say that Nasheed has really been exiled for his support for the introduction of a political party system, and for attempting to make government ministers accountable to the Maldivian parliament, known as the Majlis. These ministers are the close relations and friends of the President Maumoon Gayyoom and his wife Nasreena Ibrahim. Mohamed Nasheed's supporters are urging him to appeal the sentence. However, the Finance Ministry, controlled directly by President Gayyoom, is believed to have filed the report of missing items, and it is difficult to establish how the questionable allegations can be dealt with. Now that President Gayyoom has successfully evicted Anni from the Majlis, there is little likelihood of the bill related to questioning ministers ever being brought before the Majlis for debate. Thaa Atoll member Hassan Afeef is the only independent member left in the house. He had seconded Nasheed's bill. Maldivian businessmen in Malé are becoming increasingly concerned with the discouraging state of the tourist industry which has been severely affected by the world recession, and paranoia of flying after the attack on the World Trade Centre in New York. 'Small businesses linked with tourism are the first victims in this recession,' said one Malé entrepreneur. 'And now the local politics is going weird.' Amnesty International has expressed concern about the trial and sentencing of Mohamed Nasheed, and on 12 November the organisation released the following report: 'Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to two and a half years' banishment on 8 November after a short trial. He was not allowed to have a lawyer represent him, or to speak in his own defence. He was found guilty of the theft of unspecified "Government Property". The charges may have been politically motivated. Amnesty International therefore believes that he may be a prisoner of conscience and is investigating the charges against him and the fairness of his trial. He had been held at Male' police station since his arrest on 8 October, mostly incommunicado, and there had been fears for his safety. He is now under house arrest.'  Angolhitheemu island is on the northeast rim of Raa atoll, also known as North Maalhosmadulu. Raa Atoll has always been famous for its carpenters and shipbuilders. Now these skills are found mainly in the islands of Ali Fushi, Innamaadhoo and Iguraidhoo. The carpenters there also make copper doweling for ship building and do general blacksmith work. Coconut toddy and other agricultural products were an important part the local economy, and the atoll is known to have good fishing during both monsoons. The main islands are Kandholhudhoo, Maduvvari, Meedhoo and Rasgetheemu. Only 15 islands are now inhabited but up to 36 seem to have been inhabited in the past. |
Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and friends, Australia
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