Male', Maldives.
Adhaalath Party leader Shaikh Imran Abdullah and Chief Spokesperson Shaikh Mohamed Shaheem were attacked by a gang of thugs at Victory Square earlier this afternoon.
The two Shaikhs, respected leaders in the Maldivian community, had given stirring speeches to the gathered masses at the Civic Protest against President Nasheed on December 23, 2011. Both Shaikhs had strongly challenged the legitimacy of several of President Nasheed's actions, terming these anti Islamic and illegal.
Maldives Civic Protest on December 23rd was the largest the country had seen to date, with an estimated 20,000 civilians participating in the 8 hour peaceful protest against President Nasheed and his corrupt government. The protest has sent shivers up the regime and its militant party, with party interim Chair Reeko Moosa Maniku calling for direct action against protestors and the arrest of all leaders of the Civic Coalition and opposition parties.
Dhiislam.com reports that both Shaikhs have confirmed the attack, reporting that a gang of unruly elements had confronted the Shaikhs at Victory Square where they had gone to oversee the dismantling of protest apparatus. Fortunately, the Police responded to their request for assistance, with the attackers dispersing at the arrival of the police. The identity of the attackers in the gang has not been revealed.
Both Shaikhs and leading figures of other opposition parties have received death threats by phone and sms, prior to and after the historic protest. These death threats have been reported to the Police, however Police have not yet apprehended nor questioned any suspects in the matter.
Adhaalath Party leader Shaikh Imran Abdullah and Chief Spokesperson Shaikh Mohamed Shaheem were attacked by a gang of thugs at Victory Square earlier this afternoon.
The two Shaikhs, respected leaders in the Maldivian community, had given stirring speeches to the gathered masses at the Civic Protest against President Nasheed on December 23, 2011. Both Shaikhs had strongly challenged the legitimacy of several of President Nasheed's actions, terming these anti Islamic and illegal.
Maldives Civic Protest on December 23rd was the largest the country had seen to date, with an estimated 20,000 civilians participating in the 8 hour peaceful protest against President Nasheed and his corrupt government. The protest has sent shivers up the regime and its militant party, with party interim Chair Reeko Moosa Maniku calling for direct action against protestors and the arrest of all leaders of the Civic Coalition and opposition parties.
Dhiislam.com reports that both Shaikhs have confirmed the attack, reporting that a gang of unruly elements had confronted the Shaikhs at Victory Square where they had gone to oversee the dismantling of protest apparatus. Fortunately, the Police responded to their request for assistance, with the attackers dispersing at the arrival of the police. The identity of the attackers in the gang has not been revealed.
Both Shaikhs and leading figures of other opposition parties have received death threats by phone and sms, prior to and after the historic protest. These death threats have been reported to the Police, however Police have not yet apprehended nor questioned any suspects in the matter.