Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed at a press conference: Jameel last night had severely critizied the former administration. FILE PHOTO
Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed last night stressed that anyone hoping for refuge after committing criminal offences in the name of political activities is greatly mistaken.
Speaking during an interview with pro-government Villa TV (VTV) last night, Minister said that government would welcome political activities and the society was also open for the same.
"We can debate, speak and express ourselves within the contours available to us. Everyone can go ahead with such measures available similar to that of any civilized society. There are many doors open for us to resolve our issues," Dr Jameel said.
However, the Home Minister warned that no one must act under the impression that the opportunity to engage in political activities under the protection of a political figure or group is a "license to do whatever they please."
"But the opportunity to carry out arson attacks, use intoxicants, attack the Police, use sharp object, damage private and public property cannot be allowed. That is not an excuse. There will be no room for such tactics," Jameel stressed.
Minister further urged the supporters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to take a time out and reflect on the current situation in the country.
"Nasheed (former President) had a golden opportunity in 2008. Nasheed had the backing of a vast majority. He could have ruled well. But he didn't know to walk along that path. He didn't wish to work with anyone else. We all saw what he did once he got power. He started to arrest his political rivals. He found fault with the Parliament, Courts, Civil Service Commission, Supreme Court and Anti Corruption Commission. He found fault with every single one of them," Jameel detailed.
Jameel also alleged that Nasheed had failed to respect any institution in the country.
The Home Minister explained that the constitution had stipulated a procedure to be followed for the arrest of an individual. On that note, he pointed out that though no one can be arrested on whim, all political figures in the country became victims of arrest by Nasheed's administration.
"In the end we saw the Chief Criminal Judge arrested without legal cause where no one knew of his whereabouts until 48 hours had lapsed. Even afterwards, the Judge was detained for an extended period of time," he detailed.
"The end result of all this was Nasheed to resign on his own."
"It is my belief that there are many within MDP (opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who can rule better than Nasheed. There are many who can complete a five year term. If he didn't resort to such tactics he (Nasheed) could have completed his term in full (five years)," Jameel said.
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