Maldives police asked to probe ‘behead Nasheed’ call

Maldives police have been asked to investigate calls by a ruling party supporter to behead former president Mohamed Nasheed if he returns to the country.

An official from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party confirmed to Mihaaru that a complaint was lodged with police Sunday night because there was “undeniable proof of what happened.”

Police spokesman Ahmed Shifan refused to comment when contacted by the Maldives Independent on Monday.

The complaint followed a rally on Saturday that was organised by the Progressive Party of the Maldives. A female supporter, dressed in a pink campaign t-shirt and carrying the party’s flag, threatened to behead Nasheed.

There is a video of her at the rally referring to a meeting between Indian ruling party lawmaker Subramanian Swamy and Nasheed.

Swamy called for India to invade the Maldives if the upcoming presidential election is rigged.

“Opposition figures that return to the Maldives, whether it is from India or any other place, whether it is Anni [Nasheed’s nickname], we will slit their throats. We will definitely behead them,” the woman was quoted as saying by Mihaaru.

Her remarks prompted criticism of the PPM. The MDP also said in a statement that political platforms should not offer the opportunity to call for the murder or beheading of people.

The joint opposition’s presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also urged authorities to take legal action against people who made such remarks.

There has been no comment from the PPM about the woman’s comments.

Nasheed, who was found guilty of ordering the “abduction” of a judge after a widely condemned trial in 2015, lives in exile in Sri Lanka.