Ghassan Maumoon, son of Gayoom the
long time serving former Dictator/President and current interim
President of Progressive Party Maldives (PPM), was detained early
this morning by the Maldivian Police Service after he was summoned to
the Police Headquarters 'for further questioning', concerning the
disturbance that took place around his residence on Thursday.
The mob that gathered around the former
Presidents residence were mostly seen as Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP),
senior figure heads and activists.
What began as an MDP nationwide
protest against the Judiciary, which ironically "coincided"
with the verdict delivery scheduled in a case filed against their MP
Mohamed Musthafaa, requesting his candidacy be invalidated, took a
different turn when the mob headed towards the residence of the
Former President, Alivaage and Enderimaage. Protest turned from a
“Free Judiciary” campaign to a “Bring Gayoom to Justice”
protest. Protesters were seen to have verbally harass Gayoom, disrupt
peace, damaged property and "terrorize" the neighborhood.
It was not a one side confrontation as
witness reported hot water, wooden planks and even sharp objects did
in fact rain down on the protesters from Endherimaage. It is believed
that during these clashes a wooden plank/door accused to be thrown down from the 2nd floor of Endharimaage landed on a 17-year-old boy.
Protest against the Judiciary
Former MDP Chairwomen Mariya Ahmed didi proposed to launch a nationwide protest against the Judiciary elements in Maldives, accusing that the courts were in fact 'prioritizing' cases filed against MDP members and figures while delaying cases against different opposition figures. With the go ahead from the emergency meeting of the National Council of MDP the protests began, with mobs gathering in front of Theemuge' where the Maldivian Supreme Court house.
Other political parties in the country condemned these protests as they portrayed the protests unlawful and violates Article 141 (c) which states that "No officials performing public functions, or any other persons, shall interfere with and influence the functions of the courts".
There have been speculations over alleged corruption and many ill-doings in the Judiciary system, with Velizinee (then member of the commission) raising issues at Judicial Service Commission and President Nasheed's Adviser Ibrahim Ismail (Ibraa) engaging in several verbal confrontations with the Supreme Court.
Endherimaage clashes
Though I am not very sure how a protest headed towards the residence of the former President, what I do know is that the clashes that took place here were real violent and got very much carried away as it resulted in damage to life and property.
The mob was led of course by senior officials of the party including MP Maariya Ahmed Didi and MP Alhan Fahmy, aslo the Vice President of the Party.
It is claimed that the 17-year-old boy, Hussein Hassan, was in fact struck by the wooden plank/door that was thrown out from the 2nd floor of Endherimaage, while the protesters were 'marching' by the house. It is not clear whether the violence out-broke after this incident or whether it was going on even before this event.
MDP MP Musthafaa, widely discredited for his empty-headed remarks and comments, allege that it was indeed Ghassan who threw the wooden plank down.
The boy's condition was serious at the time as he was rushed to the hospital, it was believed that his skull and brain retained severe injuries and was taken to the ICU immediately.
MDP MP Ali Waheed (Boom Boom Waheed), who switched sides earlier this year, told state broadcaster MNBC that the 17-year-old was behind MP Alhan Fahmy when the object struck him straight on the head.
There have also been wide spread remarks that prisoners released under the "second chance" program were seen very much active within the MDP lines.
The detention
Ghassan Maumoon, was detained earlier this morning as he was summoned to the Police Headquarters and taken to Dhoonidhoo. His lawyers team seem to have seen it coming before hand and so managed to file a case in the court to release him immediately and that he was being detained unlawfully.
While on twitter Mohamed H. Shareef (Mundhu), spokes person of the former President Gayoom had to say: "No grounds for extending detention. The said plank was carried by a known MDP activist and not Ghassan. Have video evidence."
Violent disruption of peace, destruction to property and the use of very vulgur language by what is seen as MDP activists, per say thugs and mobsters, can be seen in a video that is being circulated by PPM throughout social media which shows a message by Ghassan Maumoon, where he says "Not Guilty ... being framed ... Political motive."
Haveeru reported that one MDP activist has also been arrested and is detained in Dhoonidhoo jail.
Innocent until proven guilty and let the old man rest in peace.
Ghassan should be released immediately if indeed he is innocent. His detainment can be seriously considered as a politically driven arrest as these were similar scenes of the former Gayoom regime. If MDP and President Nasheed continues the same footsteps we are soon to start a new "Nasheedian Dictatorship". However, justice should also be done with the 17-year-old.
One does not have the right to question the Judiciary, but when those instances come when one is forced to go up against the Judicial element of a country it should be on a valid cause. Either way any person who thinks straight would come to a conclusion that disrupting peace and damaging property is nor solution. And to be real frank I see no connection here with the inefficiency of the Judiciary and Gayoom. Let the old fellow rest in peace.
There are serious issues that are of real concern to all in regards to the Judiciary. But MDP should also clear its own backyard before going all "Nationwide at the Judiciary" ... Barbaric attitudes of MDP front men should not be encouraged and disciplinary actions should be taken against those who are out of line. With the ruling party majority in the parliament house it has become a circus with monkeys and chimpanzees loose and about. At this instance MDP has failed its people as it is going against the values and morals of a country that has never experienced a true democratic setting.
Court hearings are in place and awaiting the verdict on Ghassan ... whether he remain in custody or goes free ...
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