Opposition parties have released a joint-statement on Tuesday condemning the state’s apprehension and charges against their more high-profile supporters.
Following a police search of MP Faris Maumoon’s residence this morning, and his subsequent detention, the statement said that the charges against him are part of a new wave of coercion against members of the opposition.
“President Yameen has instigated a renewed campaign of intimidation and coercion of opposition leaders and lawmakers, days before a second impeachment is to be scheduled for the speaker of parliament” the statement said.
The motion in question was spearheaded by Faris himself, who has done so on two earlier occasions. The statement speaks of another impending warrant for the parliamentarian’s arrest – on allegations of bribery, while he also faces separate charges of ‘identity fraud’.
Parliamentarians are to vote on the 45-signature motion on July 24th, Monday. The statement also says that oppositions parties are concerned about potential action against other parliamentarians who had signed motion.
The statement also highlights the state’s recent decision to bar Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim from travelling abroad for medical attention after his hospitalization earlier this week. It further notes renewed charges against a Maldivian Democratic Party parliamentarian, which were previously dismissed.
“In 2015, the Prosecutor General withdrew terrorism charges against the MP. However, following the submission of the no-confidence motions, the state has charged MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi a second time on the same terror charges” the statement further said.
