Concerns of justice for Himendhoo detainees increase

MDP Press
Source: MDP Press, 21 October 2007

The Maldivian Democratic Party has expressed concerns over the prolonged custody and delay in being produced in court of over 63 people arrested from the island of Himendhoo on 07 October 2007.

"Every individual, every island is important to us", Dr. Munavvar said referring to the recent visit to Himendhoo Island by an MDP fact-finding team. "As one of the biggest political parties, it is our duty to ascertain the facts and look into violations of peoples basic rights", he said.

The Police operation at the Al-Khair mosque in Himendhoo Island by the Police and later by the army on 7 October was conducted ostensibly to look for two men implicated in investigations into the detonating an improvised explosive device in Male' on 29 September 2007. 12 tourists were injured in the blast.

A group of people in Himedhoo a few years ago had rejected the government's authority on religious matters after complaining that the island's mosque was constructed on a cemetery. They had then built their own mosque, the Al-Kahir, in a private housing compound. Speaking to journalists during the stand-off, the group who had masked themselves and wore motorcycle helmets said they were defending the mosque as the Police had demolished the same mosque the previous year. Journalists on the scene question their readiness to face off the assault as people in the break-away group vehemently deny any involvement in the blast.

"So far police has not found any one who has any connection to the detonation among them; however they were arrested because they were obstructing the work carried out by Police", a Police statement on 16 October 2007 said. The Police have now said that the investigation of those arrested in Himandhoo would be conducted as a separate investigation.

Despite several operations, including raids on residences in Male', Police have not been able to apprehend to date two more men implicated in the investigations Mr. Abdul Latheef Ibrahim (of Laamu Kalhaidoo Island) and Mr. Ali Shameem (of Shaviyani Komandoo Island). Police reports last week said Mr. Moosa Inas, 20, (of Finihiyaage, Kalhaidhoo Island, Laamu Atoll) and Mr. Ahmed Naseer,21, (of Saadhunaa Manzil, Kaduhulhudhoo Island, Gaaf Alif Atoll) have confessed to Police that they carried out the attack. Mr. Mohamed Sabah, 19 from Male Villingili has confessed to constructing the device, Police reports said.