Male', Maldives. The Canarygate Scandal of political corruption, obstruction of justice and abuse of power which led to Mohamed Nasheed's resignation as President, yesterday entered a new dimension as Nasheed's Israeli connection was revealed to be Ismail Saadiq, of the FPID and 7/11 corruption scandals in the 1990s. Ismail Saadiq, at Nasheed's request, visited Israel after Nasheed's resignation, in a bid to secure Israeli support for Nasheed's come-back bid. Sources close to Nasheed report that Saadiq's visit was to request Israel to pressure the US to support Nasheed's call for an early election. Saadiq and Nasheed's ex-Chief of Staff, Ahmed Mausoom, were in the process of setting up a joint venture for supplying STO Maldives with Israeli oil when Nasheed resigned on February 7th. Saadiq, a Maldivian trader engaged in various corrupt activities, first leapt to local prominence in the late 1970s when he spilled the beans on Kandi Ahmed Maniku'
Maldivian police tonight arbitrarily arrested parliamentary candidate for Hulhuhenveiru (T01) Ahmed Saleem (Marz Saleem) along with six others, while they were at a peaceful demonstration in Male', the capital island. He and other detainees from the gathering are presently incarcerated at Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre on Dhoonidhoo island. Riot police sprayed tear gas into the peaceful gathering without provocation. Police then baton-charged the gathering, seriously injuring several members of the public, including women. Police have now cordoned off huge areas in the capital. The public had gathered peacefully in front of the Elections Commission Office to demand answers frm the Commission on rumours of vote rigging in the Hulhumale' constituency. Saleem's electoral rights are being denied by the autocratic MDP regime. The public is being denied their constitunional right to peaceful gathering & the freedom of expression. President Nasheed's government has been in power fr just six months. Government intimidation and threats of violence by government backed gangs have robbed frightened innocent citizens of their right to free and fair elections. Nasheed is on public record threatening any constituency which elects an opposition MP. Tonight, the roads of Male' are being patrolled by the army.