Raajje News Blog

Male', Maldives. More tarnishing of the Maldives international image as the sunny side of life continues as Mohamed Nasheed continues to lead his party Maldives Democratic Party to violence and civil disobedience. Nasheed, who resigned on February 7th, last night called upon his supporters for civil disobedience and violence until his successor, his former Vice President Mohamed Waheed stepped down from his post. On February 8th, Nasheed led violent street riots in Male', while his supporters on some islands rampaged through the communities vandalizing and burning down public and private property. Speaking to the party faithful in Male' last night, Nasheed alleged that the Defence Forces had always been plotting his assassination and had assisted Dr. Waheed to bring about a military coup. Nasheed further alleged that the police officers who extricated him from his party's street riots on February 8th, had sexually abused him when they first interacted with him that...

Male', Maldives. Maldives remains in a state of tension as the ex-President Nasheed continues his condemnation of the new Government as unconstitutional and that his own resignation is not legitimate. He alleges that he did not resign, but was deposed by a military coup instigated by President Waheed and former President Gayoom. However, an analysis of Nasheed's public statements show that, fundamentally he too believes that he has resigned, and that his resignation is legitimate. If so, then by the Constitution, the then Vice President ascends to Presidency through due process, which VP Mohamed Waheed did that same day. Nasheed resigned on Tuesday 7th, after more than three weeks of civic protests against his unconstitutional arrest of a senior judge, interference with the Judiciary, and subsequent violations of fundamental freedoms. He was succeeded by his Vice President, Mohamed Waheed hassan Maniku. Presideent Waheed's government has been accepted by foreign governme...

Male', Maldives. Day 1 of President Waheed's infant presidency ended in street terrorism, arson and vandalism in some islands, backing a demand by ex-President Nasheed for Dr. Waheed's immediate resignation. In response, Dr. Waheed made three key political appointees, which drew widespread criticism from the public. Police and military response to the riots yesterday are being condemned as brutal and excessive. As Day 2 speeds by, the Judiciary has entered the fray with the Criminal Court reportedly issuing a warrant for the arrest of Nasheed and his Defence Minister DIK Tholhath Ibrahim. The riots in the capital Male' were led by Nasheed himself, while the arson and vandalism in strongholds of Nasheed's party MDP were led by MDP MPs and Municipal Council members. In scenes reminiscent of the last days of Nasheed's regime, large numbers of protestors and riot police officials suffered injuries. The scale and extent of Nasheed's rebellion give a clear me...

Male', Maldives. ex-President Mohamed Nasheed today took to Male' streets, demanding his job back. Nasheed and his ex-Ministers led street riots in Male' which vandalized private and public property. These were supported by arson, vandalism and attacks on police stations in island strongholds of Nasheed's party. In the countrywide terror campaign led by ex President Nasheed, up to now, 9 police stations, 3 Court Houses and 1 Council Office has been razed to the ground by MDP activists today. ex-President Nasheed has accused his successor President Mohamed Waheed of instigating and leading a military coup against him. Nasheed's demand for reinstatement as President comes within 24 hours of his publicly televised resignation address, at which he stated that he was resigning willingly, for the good of the people. Late this evening, after hours of riots, the MDP has called for President Waheed's immediate resignation and the Speaker of Parliament to hold immedi...

Male', Maldives. In more strong arm measures to intimidate his political opponents, President Nasheed has sent his police officers to Jumhooree (Republican) Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim's resort, Paradise Island. Maldives Police Service officers tonight raided Paradise Island, using as a front the trumped up charges by the Nasheed Government last night that Paradise Island spas were engaging in prostitution services. A Maldives Police Spokesperson tonight confirmed that the police raid was at the request of the Ministry of Tourism, and that police were even now active on Paradise Island. Media report that the Manager of the Paradise Island resort has been summoned to appear at the Police Headquarters. Popular philanthropist Gasim Ibrahim today vehemently denied the Nasheed Government's allegations about his resort spa, stating that "these are heinous lies trumped up by the Government because I have spoken out against them in defense of the judicial system". ...

Male', Maldives. President Nasheed today took retaliatory action against Leader of Jumhooree Party (Republican Party), Gasim Ibrahim. Just hours after Gasim Ibrahim warned President Nasheed that he would not stand aside and watch him destroy the Maldives, Nasheed has ordered the closure of spa facilities at Gasim's resort Paradise Island. Nasheed's closure order was made on trumped up charges of "suspected" prostitution activities at the spa facilities. 'We will not stand aside and allow you to destroy our nation. Do not even think that you can do it", said Gasim last night, speaking on a political analysis program (Fasmanzaru) on independent TV channel VTV. Gasim Ibrahim is one of the most respected businessmen and philanthropist in the country with a strong populist following amongst the citizenry. Gasim Ibrahim was also the Speaker of the last Constitutional Assembly which passed the current Constitution of the Maldives. Gasim's strong cond...

Male', Maldives The historical civic protest in the Maldives on December 23rd, 2011 saw an escalation of President Nasheed's intimidatory tactics against free media in the country. Under Nasheed's direct order as Commander in Chief of the Maldives Military, the Military had sent a written warning to all free media, warning against the airing of anti-government demonstrations. The military warning was received by all media channels and print media just hours prior to the mass gathering at Victory Square to protest against President Nasheed and his corrupt Government. A few days prior to the protest, Maldives Police arrested Ali Ahsan, web designer and online news editor, for creating a website which provided updated news on the upcoming Civic Protest. In further actions against free media, President Nasheed shutdown Maldives youth website www.mvyouth.net on the day of the Civic Protest, in a move to stifle dissenting voices against his corrupt government. The websi...

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...

Male', Maldives. Maldives President Nasheed suffered a humiliating public defeat yesterday in a face off with civic associations and interest groups. In an attempt to challenge the popularity support behind the Civic Coalition, President Nasheed organized a counter rally at the same time in a nearby location. The anti-civic rally hosted by Nasheed was only attended by close kin and cronies, supported by a sprinkling of MDP hardliners, Government Ministers, heads of Government corporations, political appointees in key government positions and party leadership figures. MDP insiders report that many in the MDP leadership had been personally called by Nasheed and their attendance demanded. In contrast, thousands of civilians flocked to the Civil Coalition protest against President Nasheed and his corrupt government. The civic protest lasted 8 hours and showed no signs of diminishing numbers. Civic Coalition leaders disperesed their supporters quickly just after midnight when Nash...

Male', Maldives. 00.00 24th Dec Maldives Civic Protest leaders announce an end to their eight hour peaceful gathering at Victory Square, Male'. This announcement comes amidst threats by President Nasheed's MDP of direct action against civilians and death threats to civic leaders and opposition party leaders. In closure, the protest has called upon President Nasheed to fulfill its demands: immediate removal statues of dieties in Addu, apologize for UNHRC Pillay's baseless attack on Islam, stop sale of alcohol in inhabited islands and close all prostitution houses in Maldives. Protest leaders cautioned that MDP may still instigate violence and arson in the streets, and called upon the hundreds of civilians at its vigil to maintain peace and not to rise to provocation or harassment by MDP. In reply, MDP announced that it would stage a second demonstration tomorrow afternoon.

Male', Maldives. 23.20pm Maldives President Nasheed's militant party, Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), warn peaceful civic protest to disperse within one hour or that they would take direct action. Hardline Interim Chairperson Reekon Moosa Maniku called the civic gathering a revolutionary action and called upon all MDP members to join him in stopping the gathering. However, according to reports from media on site, so far the hundreds of civilians gathered peacefully at Victory Square have not carried out any actions that could be termed as 'revolutionary'. The protestors have raised three demands to President Nasheed, all based on the moderate Islamic stand taken by the civic coalition. MDP supporters at this evening's preparatory meeting for direct action are reportedly calling for the arrest of PPM Leader and Maldives ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim, PPM member and ex-PA Leader Abdulla Yameen, and Adhaalath Party Reli...

Male', Maldives. 11.00 pm. Maldives ruling party, the militant Maldives Democratic Party, is being revved up for a night assault on thousands of civilians gathered at Victory Square, in the capital Male'. Hardline interim Chairperson Reeko Moosa Maniku has called upon MDP supporters to join him in confronting the civilian protesters. Addressing a meeting at the MDP Hall minutes ago, Reeko Moosa Maniku reiterated that MDP must take to the streets to uphold its regime. Reeko Moosa, President Nasheed's nominee for the post, has been the recipient of millions of dollars of Maldivian state funds, under the guise of mega construction projects. Most projects were awarded without bid, advance payments made Moosa Maniku ahead of actual work and none of the projects have been completed. It is widely speculated that a percentage of these funds are pumped back into MDP coffers while the rest is pocketed by Reeko Moosa Maniku, President Nasheed and other MDP leaders participating ...

Male', Maldives. 10.20 pm Maldives Civic Protest demands that President Nasheed remove SAARC statues in Addu within one hour or face the consequences of a change in the direction of the protest. Statues erected by the Nasheed regime ahead of the November SAARC summit sparked riots in the country, as images of demi-gods of other religions were publicly displayed in Maldives for the first time in history. Removal of these statues is one of three demands made by Civic Protest earlier this evening. Hundreds of civilians continue their vigil well into the night as the Maldives Civic Protest continues without abatement. Civic leaders and leading figures and MPs of major opposition parties continue to address the civic gathering, to vocal cheering and support. Gasim Ibrahim, Leader of Jumhooree Party and MP, called on the gathering to maintain peace and to withstand provocation by unruly MDP elements. He stated that peaceful protest is a right. Deputy Leader of Progressive Party o...

Male', Maldives. 8.00 pm. Hundreds of Maldivian civilians continue their peaceful protest against President Nasheed and his corrupt government, in Victory Square, in the capital Male'. The Civic Coalition which began at 4pm this afternoon continues to gain in strength and numbers as more and more civilians continue to join the gathering. President Nasheed's attempt to counter the gathering with a gathering of MDP hardliners and family members failed miserably as it failed to draw enough numbers to the meeting point, Artificial Beach. The meeting petered out after Nasheed's address to his followers in which he lambasted the civil leaders and participants at the Civic Coalition Protest. Nasheed quickly dispersed his faithful and disappeared amidst heavy military security. Speculation is rife in the capital that the military will come out in strength if the protest should continue late into the night. In a joint press conference with Police Commissioner Ahmed Fasee...

Male', Maldives, 4.05pm. The anti-civic protest organized by President Nasheed's ruling party, Maldives Democratic Party, against the civilian protest organized by civic associations and interest groups has begun at the Artificial Beach, Male'. However, Haveeru News reports that President Nasheed is not yet in attendance. Nasheed had said publicly that he would lead the MDP protest. Media reports indicate high numbers of civilians in attendance at the civil protest. More civilians are streaming to the site, in spite of military road blocks. They also report strong military and police presence in riot gear at the protest site. More updates coming up.

Male', Maldives. 3.50 pm Maldives Civil Protest against President Nasheed and his corrupt government gains momentum as civilians continue to gather at the "Tsunami monument" on the South eastern corner of the capital, Male'. Police and Military Forces have cordoned off the area and have blocked all roads leading to the rally site. Civil protests in the Maldives have been marked by police brutality during the Nasheed regime. Organizers of today's protest have called upon all participants to maintain peace at all costs during the protest. They have requested civilians not to respond to harassment or incitement by anti-civic elements led by Nasheed's party, Maldivian Democratic Party. protest leaders have also called upon Maldives Police Service and Defence Forces not to incite civilians by heavy handed tactics during the course of the protest. Municipal Councils in various islands are also reported to have stepped up actions against civil protestors in the...

Male', Maldives. 3.33 pm. Maldives Military and Police personnel are deployed in force at the site of the civil protest against President Nasheed this afternoon. In spite of this intimidatory presence of armed forces at the protest location, last minute preparations are underway by protest organizers. The civil protest is organized by civic associations together with several interest groups, withe the stated intent of a peaceful gathering to show dissent against President Nasheed and his Goverment's anti Islamic actions and policies. President Nasheed came to power in 2008, with support from foreign powers, based on his promise to introduce other religions to the 100% Islamic state. At the same time, Nasheed's militant party is preparing for its anti-civic rally just a few blocks away, at the "Artifical Beach", Male'. Nasheed has stated publicly that he will be at the forefront of the MDP's anti-civic rally. Police and Armed Forces presence at this ...

Male', Maldives. The Maldives civil climate is heating up as Maldives Police Service and Defence Forces yesterday threatened the use of force against protestors at today's planned rally in Male'. The rally, organized by civic associations together with interest groups, is to call upon President Nasheed and his Government to stop their blasphemy against the state religion, Islam. President Nasheed came to power in 2008 aided by foreign powers based on a promise to allow the open practice of other religions in the 100% Muslim country. Since usurping power, Nasheed has consistently and vocally spoken out against Islam and Muslim practices. These include questioning the Qur'an and Islamic Sharia to the extent of blasphemy against Islam. Today's protest, scheduled to start in the South east corner of the capital Male', after early evening prayer (A'sr prayer), is expected to be the biggest in the country to date as concerned citizens gather to protest Nasheed...