Maldives: Government intimidating opposition - Umar

Twice arrested, thrice tear gassed, DRP Deputy Leader Umar Naseer who has been summoned to police five times under President Mohamed Nasheed’s regime, accused the government of intimidating the Opposition.

Umar, whose car has been vandalized twice, was summoned to police early this week for questioning over “shaking the gates” of the Maldives National Defence Force during an opposition protest on January 28.

“The Government has been trying to intimidate the Opposition ever since they took office,” Umar told the Asian Tribune.

“I have been arrested twice, tear gassed thrice, summoned to police five times, vandalized my car twice,” Umar said adding: “This is all in response to our peaceful protest against government policies.”

Minivan News quoted Sub Inspector Ahmed Shiyam as saying that Naseer was summoned “for questioning regarding his shaking of MNDF’s gate.”

But Shiyam has stopped short of commenting further saying the matter is being investigated.
However, DRP Deputy Leader Ibrahim has commented in the same report that “he remembers a time when president Mohamed Nasheed used to come out for protests and shake the gate of former president’s residence Theemuge.”

”The police should investigate that case as well,” Shareef was quoted as saying.

- Asian Tribune -