Faris arrest is ‘political atrocity’, says opposition

MP Faris Maumoon’s arrest is a political atrocity that proves how the government is influencing state institutions, the opposition coalition has alleged.

A spokesman from the President’s Office earlier confirmed that President Abdulla Yameen ordered police to arrest his nephew Faris.

At a press briefing Sunday night, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, described the arrest as an “extreme form of brutality”.

There is no need of a constitution that ensures separation of powers if the head of state decides everything, he said.

“The constitution tasks the president with the duty to protect people’s rights. I do not believe they [government] can misinterpret the constitution and issue such an order on police. The president does not have that authority,” he said.

Faris was arrested days after he was released from custody, on charges of bribing politicians and attempting to overthrow the government.

Before his arrest, police raided his residence and the apartment of his father and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

An aide close to Gayoom told local media that police have not left the vicinity of the residence since the day of the raid.

Security forces have also been recording the names of everyone coming in and out of the former president’s house since earlier this month, after the Maldives National Defence Force allegedly received a report of a death threat.

“Police gave us a document Saturday night after concluding the raid in Endherimaage (the name of the house). So why are there two SO officers still stationed near this house? Two MNDF officials are also still inside Endherimaage. Is this just for strengthening security purposes?” Gayoom’s daughter Yumna tweeted.

Photo: Mihaaru