MDP parliamentary leader escapes prosecution

The Prosecutor General’s office declined to press charges against the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s parliamentary group leader, police confirmed to local media last week.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was among 141 people arrested from an opposition mass protest in the capital on March 16. He was accused of obstructing law enforcement after entering the restricted Republic Square in Malé.

Ibu Solih’s case has been “filed” after the PG office declined to prosecute, a police spokesman said.

Other MDP leadership figures arrested with the veteran lawmaker were released before a 45-day state of emergency expired in late March.

But 11 high-profile detainees – including former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed – are standing trial on terrorism and bribery charges over an alleged conspiracy to remove President Abdulla Yameen from office.

Following his release, MP Ahmed Nihan tipped Ibu to become the opposition’s presidential candidate.

“I have no doubt that Ibu deserves the MDP presidential ticket,” the ruling party parliamentary group leader tweeted.

MDP urged Nihan to refrain from commenting on the opposition’s leadership.

Solih is also among 12 opposition MPs on trial on obstruction charges. They are accused of scaling barricades to enter parliament in July last year, after which they were manhandled and dragged out by police officers and soldiers in riot gear.

The presiding judge is due to decide on proceeding with the trial after the prosecution admitted to lapses and irregularities in the case documents.