Former home ministry spokesman released

Thazmeel Abdul Samad, the home ministry’s former media coordinator, has been released after more than a month in custody.

The criminal court ordered Thazmeel’s release at his second remand hearing Tuesday afternoon. He was arrested under emergency powers on February 23 and accused of unlawful assembly, conspiring to topple the government and encouraging violence against the security forces.

His defence lawyer told the press that Thazmeel was not questioned on any of the charges. But he was asked about the phone of former police SWAT team commander Saif Hussain, who was among at least eight senior police officers detained over the alleged coup plot last month.

Thazmeel was sacked by the home ministry following his arrest.

A 45-day state of emergency was lifted last week after 11 high-profile detainees – including former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, four lawmakers and the ex-police chief – were charged with terrorism and bribery over an alleged conspiracy to remove President Abdulla Yameen from office.

His administration contends a shock Supreme Court ruling on February 1 – which effectively reinstated an opposition parliament majority and freed Yameen’s jailed opponents ahead of elections in September – triggered a constitutional crisis and set in motion a failed coup d’etat.

Photo: Vnews