Umar Naseer speaks during a PPM rally: He has expressed belief that the CNI would declare that it was not a coup. PHOTO/ NASRULLA SOLIH
Pro-government Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Interim Vice President Umar Naseer has vowed to take the decision of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) to the Supreme Court if it concludes that former President Mohamed Nasheed's government was toppled through a coup.
Countering the proposal by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to reinstate its rule if the CNI declares that the regime change had been a coup, Umar said he was confident that the final report after the investigation would declare that “it was not a coup.” However, he quickly stressed that if the report even makes a vague reference of a coup, the matter would be taken up at the Supreme Court.
“It’s because the Supreme Court must determine the events that transpired on February 7. We did not make any plans in relation to the incident,” Umar said.
He further said that the events on the day of the transfer of power were obvious to everyone as it had unfolded on live television.
“There would be no grounds for CNI to declare that it was a coup in light of the events on that day. I would also like to point out that MDP seems to think that CNI would deliver a legally binding verdict. Only the judiciary has that authority in the Maldives,” Umar stressed.
He added that the report of the CNI would not be a legal verdict but would be its views on the regime change, while stressing that the Supreme Court had the sole authority to issue a verdict.
Umar also labeled the decision by the MDP National Steering Committee comprising of Parliament members to propose the reinstatement of its rule as “amusing.” He said that such a decision shows the ignorance of MDP MPs of the constitution as it does not make any reference to the reinstatement of a government.
He further stressed that Nasheed would be well aware that the CNI would not declare the events of February 7 as a coup and alleged that the claims by MDP that CNI would affirm that it was a “coup” is an “injection” used to keep MDP supporters leashed to continue the party’s activities.
Umar alleged that the mass rally to be held by MDP is a show for the international community and stressed that the government would not be concerned or intimidated by the actions of MDP.
1 comment 1 comment
More
3 Comments
To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or .