Opposition MP Didi returns to Malé

Opposition MP and Rtd. Brigadier General Ibrahim Didi was seen at the July 26 midnight official flag hoisting ceremony to mark Independence Day. He was flown to India for medical treatment amidst a terrorism trial.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP was charged over the arrest of a judge during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s tenure. At the time of the arrest, he was the head of the Malé area command.

Didi returned on Friday, local media report.

In early July, the Prosecutor General’s office dropped terror charges after the criminal court acquitted two former military officers who were also accused of the crime. They are Moosa Ali Jaleel, former chief of defence forces and current minister of defence, and Ahmed Ziyad, a former colonel.

Didi was hospitalized for heart issues on March 1. Following his hospitalisation, the Criminal Court did not schedule any further hearings in Didi’s trial.

After the first hearing, Didi asked whether the terrorism trial was his reward for risking his life in defence of the nation during the failed coup attempt of November 3, 1988. The coup was staged by a group of Maldivians and Tamil mercenaries.

Didi – a corporal and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s bodyguard at the time – played a pivotal role on November 3 by carrying the keys of the armoury from Machangoalhi Kinbigasdhoshuge to the besieged military headquarters before soldiers ran out of ammunition.

Former President Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail over the judge’s arrest. His sentence was commuted to house arrest on July 19, amidst negotiations between the MDP and the government.