After India&#39;s defence minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-political-turmoil-maldives-former-president-mohamed-nasheed-meets-defence-minister-sitharaman-33330">Nirmala Sitharaman met Mohamed Nasheed</a> on Monday, Indian government sources said the former Maldives president did not discuss the situation in the Maldives with the Indian defence minister.

In a tweet earlier, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-parliamentary-committee-decides-to-extend-emergency-for-1-month-33396">the Maldives ex-president had</a> said he had &quot;briefed&quot;&nbsp;Sitharaman on the situation prevailing in the Maldives.&nbsp;

Indian government sources, however, denied Nasheed&#39;s views, asserting that Sitharaman didn&#39;t meet Nasheed in an &quot;official capacity&quot;. The sources refuted the Maldives leader&#39;s message and said the Indian defence minister did not discuss the situation in the Maldives.

Maldives president Yameen had declared a state of emergency on February 5th after the island nation&rsquo;s Supreme Court ordered the release of nine political prisoners, including exiled former President Nasheed, saying their trials were politically motivated and flawed.&nbsp;

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen refused to comply with the judgement and arrested a number of Supreme Court judges including the Chief Justice and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

In a tweet earlier, the Maldives ex-president had said he had "briefed" Sitharaman on the situation prevailing in the Maldives.

After India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Mohamed Nasheed on Monday, Indian government sources said the former Maldives president did not discuss the situation in the Maldives with the Indian defence minister. In a tweet earlier, the Maldives ex-president had said he had "briefed" Sitharaman on the situation prevailing in the Maldives. Indian government sources, however, denied Nasheed's views, asserting that Sitharaman didn't meet Nasheed in an "official capacity". The sources refuted the Maldives leader's message and said the Indian defence minister did not discuss the situation in the Maldives. Maldives president Yameen had declared a state of emergency on February 5th after the island nation’s Supreme Court ordered the release of nine political prisoners, including exiled former President Nasheed, saying their trials were politically motivated and flawed. Maldives President Abdulla Yameen refused to comply with the judgement and arrested a number of Supreme Court judges including the Chief Justice and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Nasheed didn't discuss Maldives situation with Sitharaman: Indian government sources

Maldives government on Tuesday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/when-the-opposition-protests-they-have-to-be-controlled-maldives-minister-to-wion-32658">said calls for Indian military intervention </a>in the Maldives was &quot;out of line&quot;.

&ldquo;India would not act upon such calls,&rdquo; the Maldives government added.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-has-grabbed-more-land-than-the-east-india-company-ex-maldives-president-nasheed-32690">Maldives government&#39;s statement comes</a> after India expressed dissatisfaction over events in the island nation as China said it does not want the Maldives to become another &quot;flash point&quot;.

In a statement, the Yameen Abdul Gayoom-led government said: &quot;The government views such actions to be irresponsible and intended to cause the citizens of both nations as well as other stakeholders, to cast doubt upon the excellent relationship India and Maldives have enjoyed for decades.&quot;

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang had said the international community should respect the &quot;sovereignty and independence&quot; of the Maldives even as ex-president Nasheed requested India to play the role of &quot;liberators&quot; and intervene militarily to resolve the ongoing political turmoil.

&quot;We would like to assure all our beloved citizens that the Maldives does not have to fear for its independence or sovereignty and that the Government would not give any opportunity to anyone to threaten the country&#39;s sovereignty,&quot; the Maldives government said in a statement.

China had warned that military intervention would further complicate the situation in the island nation.

&quot;The current situation in the Maldives is its internal affairs. China follows the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of others,&quot; China&#39;s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

The Maldives government's statement comes after India expressed dissatisfaction over events in the island nation

Maldives government on Tuesday said calls for Indian military intervention in the Maldives was "out of line". “India would not act upon such calls,” the Maldives government added. The Maldives government's statement comes after India expressed dissatisfaction over events in the island nation as China said it does not want the Maldives to become another "flash point". In a statement, the Yameen Abdul Gayoom-led government said: "The government views such actions to be irresponsible and intended to cause the citizens of both nations as well as other stakeholders, to cast doubt upon the excellent relationship India and Maldives have enjoyed for decades." Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang had said the international community should respect the "sovereignty and independence" of the Maldives even as ex-president Nasheed requested India to play the role of "liberators" and intervene militarily to resolve the ongoing political turmoil. "We would like to assure all our beloved citizens that the Maldives does not have to fear for its independence or sovereignty and that the Government would not give any opportunity to anyone to threaten the country's sovereignty," the Maldives government said in a statement. China had warned that military intervention would further complicate the situation in the island nation. "The current situation in the Maldives is its internal affairs. China follows the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of others," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

Enjoy excellent relationship with India, calls for military intervention out of line: Maldives

Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed said that the island nation owned $1.5 to 2 billion debt to China which forces it to cede territory to the communist state.

Nasheed who was president till 2012 fled to the UK after conviction in anti-terror law for ordering the arrest of a judge.

Speaking to the Nikkei Asian Review in an interview, the former Maldives president said the Maldives takes in less than $100 million a month in government revenue, however, as of January, China accounted for &quot;nearly 80%&quot; of the Maldives&#39; foreign debt.

The Chinese government denied the allegation.

Ji Rong, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, said in a statement,&quot;Recently, former Maldivian President Nasheed made a lot of false remarks in the Indian media. He pointed fingers at the practical cooperation between China and Maldives and alleged that China engaged in so-called land grabbing of Maldivian islands, which undermines the security of the Indian Ocean region.&quot;

&quot;These allegations are apparently groundless with no regard to facts, Ji Rong said.

Nasheed told the Nikkei Asian Review: &quot;Roads going to nowhere, airports that will be empty,&quot; adding that, &quot;all the while, the Maldives&#39; debts are accruing interest at high rates.&quot;

&quot;If the Maldives falls behind, China will ask for equity from the owners of various islands and infrastructure operators, and Beijing will then &quot;get free hold of that land,&quot; he told the newspaper.

&quot;Without firing a single shot, China has grabbed more land than the East India Company at the height of the 19th century,&quot; Nasheed said.

Nasheed alleged that China had already occupied &quot;16 islands&quot; under president Abdulla Yameen.

However, China said: &quot;As a matter of fact, when Nasheed was the President, China and Maldives had already launched relevant cooperation projects.&quot;

&quot;The land grabbing allegation by Nasheed is apparently meant to serve certain political purposes of him,&quot; the Chinese foreign ministry said in its statement.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/nash1-20180213040358.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Maldivian opposition supporters holds placards near the main opposition Maldives Democratic Party headquarters during a protest demanding the government to release jailed opposition leaders in Male. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Nasheed was president till 2012 fled to the UK after conviction in anti-terror law for ordering the arrest of a judge.

Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed said that the island nation owned $1.5 to 2 billion debt to China which forces it to cede territory to the communist state. Nasheed who was president till 2012 fled to the UK after conviction in anti-terror law for ordering the arrest of a judge. Speaking to the Nikkei Asian Review in an interview, the former Maldives president said the Maldives takes in less than $100 million a month in government revenue, however, as of January, China accounted for "nearly 80%" of the Maldives' foreign debt. The Chinese government denied the allegation. Ji Rong, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, said in a statement,"Recently, former Maldivian President Nasheed made a lot of false remarks in the Indian media. He pointed fingers at the practical cooperation between China and Maldives and alleged that China engaged in so-called land grabbing of Maldivian islands, which undermines the security of the Indian Ocean region." "These allegations are apparently groundless with no regard to facts, Ji Rong said. Nasheed told the Nikkei Asian Review: "Roads going to nowhere, airports that will be empty," adding that, "all the while, the Maldives' debts are accruing interest at high rates." "If the Maldives falls behind, China will ask for equity from the owners of various islands and infrastructure operators, and Beijing will then "get free hold of that land," he told the newspaper. "Without firing a single shot, China has grabbed more land than the East India Company at the height of the 19th century," Nasheed said. Nasheed alleged that China had already occupied "16 islands" under president Abdulla Yameen. However, China said: "As a matter of fact, when Nasheed was the President, China and Maldives had already launched relevant cooperation projects." "The land grabbing allegation by Nasheed is apparently meant to serve certain political purposes of him," the Chinese foreign ministry said in its statement. Maldivian opposition supporters holds placards near the main opposition Maldives Democratic Party headquarters during a protest demanding the government to release jailed opposition leaders in Male. (Reuters) ×

China has grabbed more land than the East India Company: ex-Maldives president Nasheed

Maldives police said<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-british-journalists-arrested-in-maldives-to-be-deported-32407"> today it had launched an</a> investigation into the attempt to &quot;overthrow the government&quot; of Maldives.

Police said it had brought former president of Maldives Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Al Ustaz Abdhullah Saeed, Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed among others into custody to investigate the case.

&quot;During the investigation, 30 people have been questioned and 15 locations searched,&quot; police said.

The police added that it had &quot;found evidence&quot; against judicial administrator Hassan Saeed Hussain, saying that it had recovered a large amount of cash under his mattress in his house.

&quot;Documentary has been found which revealed Hassan Saeed Hussain received substantial amount of money to bribe judges,&quot; police said in a statement.

&quot;A bag containing $215,000 and 150,000 in Maldivian currency has been recovered from Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed Mohamed,&quot; it added.

The police said $2.4 million was wired to Ali Hameed as a &quot;loan&quot; from a commercial company in the Maldives to buy a flat.

Former president Gayoom was providing &quot;financial assistance&quot; to Hameed and his family, the police alleged.

&quot;During the investigation, a black suitcase was discovered in Ms Najma&#39;s residence who is an employee of former president Gayoom,&quot; police said.

&quot;In addition, documentary evidence was found in the bag that showed individuals in the case had brought apartments abroad,&quot; police claimed.

The police said $2.4 million was wired to Ali Hameed as a "loan" from a commercial company in the Maldives to buy a flat.

Maldives police said today it had launched an investigation into the attempt to "overthrow the government" of Maldives. Police said it had brought former president of Maldives Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Al Ustaz Abdhullah Saeed, Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed among others into custody to investigate the case. "During the investigation, 30 people have been questioned and 15 locations searched," police said. The police added that it had "found evidence" against judicial administrator Hassan Saeed Hussain, saying that it had recovered a large amount of cash under his mattress in his house. "Documentary has been found which revealed Hassan Saeed Hussain received substantial amount of money to bribe judges," police said in a statement. "A bag containing $215,000 and 150,000 in Maldivian currency has been recovered from Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed Mohamed," it added. The police said $2.4 million was wired to Ali Hameed as a "loan" from a commercial company in the Maldives to buy a flat. Former president Gayoom was providing "financial assistance" to Hameed and his family, the police alleged. "During the investigation, a black suitcase was discovered in Ms Najma's residence who is an employee of former president Gayoom," police said. "In addition, documentary evidence was found in the bag that showed individuals in the case had brought apartments abroad," police claimed.

Evidence available against ex-president Gayoom, SC judge Ali Hameed: Maldives police

A major TV station <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-was-first-stop-planned-for-special-envoys-visit-maldives-32215">in the Maldives today suspended</a> operation as the 15-day emergency imposed by President Abdulla Yameen-led government continued to throw the nation in crisis.

RaajjeTV in a tweet <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-top-judge-threatened-with-death-lawyer-32199">said it had suspended broadcast </a>due to &quot;attacks on free and independent media.&quot; 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maldives</a> RaajjeTV has shutdown its broadcast coming under immense pressure and threats of attacks . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JournalismNotaCrime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JournalismNotaCrime</a> <a href="https://t.co/qMNL3DkOrz">pic.twitter.com/qMNL3DkOrz</a>
&mdash; Maldives Voice (@MaldivesVoice4) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaldivesVoice4/status/961670751693754369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&quot;Raajje TV informs our viewers that we have suspended regular broadcast due to attacks on free and independent media continued threats to Raajje TV and its staff, following the police&#39;s decision to slash security to the station and the warning issued to MNDF to media sources over closure of any media stations without warning,&quot; the TV station said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed who is in exile said Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed was being &quot;mistreated&quot; by authorities in prison.

The Chief Justice of Maldives Abdulla Saeed including judge Ali Hameed were arrested by police after the riot police entered the nation&#39;s Supreme Court where top judges had taken refuge.

The arrest of top men in the judiciary came after&nbsp; President Abdulla Yameen imposed a 15-day emergency plunging the island nation into a political crisis.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Under the guise of an emergency, Pres Yameen has gone after the opposition, judiciary, parliament, and now the media. <a href="https://twitter.com/Raajje_tv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Raajje_tv</a> stops broadcast following multiple threats, &amp; intimidation from the security services. Press freedom must be guaranteed for all.
&mdash; Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedNasheed/status/961670964869185536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RYJGm5LvZkQ" width="560"></iframe> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed who is in exile said Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed was being "mistreated" by authorities in prison

A major TV station in the Maldives today suspended operation as the 15-day emergency imposed by President Abdulla Yameen-led government continued to throw the nation in crisis. RaajjeTV in a tweet said it had suspended broadcast due to "attacks on free and independent media." #Maldives RaajjeTV has shutdown its broadcast coming under immense pressure and threats of attacks . #JournalismNotaCrime pic.twitter.com/qMNL3DkOrz — Maldives Voice (@MaldivesVoice4) February 8, 2018 × "Raajje TV informs our viewers that we have suspended regular broadcast due to attacks on free and independent media continued threats to Raajje TV and its staff, following the police's decision to slash security to the station and the warning issued to MNDF to media sources over closure of any media stations without warning," the TV station said in a tweet. Meanwhile, former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed who is in exile said Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed was being "mistreated" by authorities in prison. The Chief Justice of Maldives Abdulla Saeed including judge Ali Hameed were arrested by police after the riot police entered the nation's Supreme Court where top judges had taken refuge. The arrest of top men in the judiciary came after President Abdulla Yameen imposed a 15-day emergency plunging the island nation into a political crisis. Under the guise of an emergency, Pres Yameen has gone after the opposition, judiciary, parliament, and now the media. @Raajje_tv stops broadcast following multiple threats, & intimidation from the security services. Press freedom must be guaranteed for all. — Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 8, 2018 ×

Raajje TV suspends operations in Maldives due to 'attacks on free media'

After UN chief Antonio Guterres slammed the Maldives government, &nbsp;Zeid Ra&rsquo;ad Al Hussein the High Commissioner of the &nbsp;United Nations Human Rights in a statement said the current turn of events in Maldives creates a &ldquo;dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president.&rdquo;

Maldives president President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day national emergency this week after weeks of turmoil as the Supreme Court ordered release of nine imprisoned opposition politicians, maintaining that their trials were &quot;politically motivated and flawed&quot;.&nbsp;

Yameen refused to free the prisoners instead the government&#39;s riot police stormed the country&#39;s top court and arrested several judges including the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.

Later, Maldives authorities arrested several top Opposition leaders including ex-president Abdul Gayoom.

&ldquo;The Maldives have seen in recent years attacks on political opponents, on journalists, on civil society and human right defenders, and what is happening now is tantamount to an all-out assault on democracy,&rdquo; Zeid said.&nbsp;

Zeid said the Maldives government should call off the emergency and raised concerns over the arrest of Chief Justice Abdula Saeed and Supreme Court judge Judge Ali Hameed.

On Wednesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres asked the Maldives president uphold the Constitution even as the Supreme Court revoked its earlier order to release political prisoners.

UNHRC chief said Maldives creates a 'dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president'.

After UN chief Antonio Guterres slammed the Maldives government, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights in a statement said the current turn of events in Maldives creates a “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president.” Maldives president President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day national emergency this week after weeks of turmoil as the Supreme Court ordered release of nine imprisoned opposition politicians, maintaining that their trials were "politically motivated and flawed". Yameen refused to free the prisoners instead the government's riot police stormed the country's top court and arrested several judges including the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed. Later, Maldives authorities arrested several top Opposition leaders including ex-president Abdul Gayoom. “The Maldives have seen in recent years attacks on political opponents, on journalists, on civil society and human right defenders, and what is happening now is tantamount to an all-out assault on democracy,” Zeid said. Zeid said the Maldives government should call off the emergency and raised concerns over the arrest of Chief Justice Abdula Saeed and Supreme Court judge Judge Ali Hameed. On Wednesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres asked the Maldives president uphold the Constitution even as the Supreme Court revoked its earlier order to release political prisoners.

Maldives situation an all-out assault on democracy: UNHRC

UN chief Antonio Guterres asked <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-supreme-court-revokes-order-to-free-prisoners-32040">Maldives president Abdulla Yameen</a> to uphold the Constitution as the country to continued to reel in crisis.

In a U-turn on Tuesday, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/supreme-courts-order-is-unconstitutional-maldives-president-yameen-31993">Maldives Supreme Court revoked its</a> earlier order to release political prisoners even as president Yameen declared emergency in the country.

The UN chief&#39;s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement said, &quot;The Secretary-General urges the Government of the Maldives to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, lift the state of emergency as soon as possible, and take all measures to ensure the safety and security of the people in the country, including members of the judiciary.&quot;

Assistant Secretary-General of the UN for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca spoke to Maldives&#39; foreign minister over the phone and expressed the Secretary-General&#39;s concern about the unfolding situation in the country, in particular, the arrest of the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.

Maldives plunged into chaos last week after the Supreme Court ordered the release of political prisoners declaring that the trials were &quot;politically motivated and flawed&quot;.

The Maldives president refused to release the prisoners as riot police stormed the Supreme Court and arrested several judges including the Chief Justice. Several political figures including ex-president Gayoom were also arrested by the police.&nbsp;

Assistant Secretary-General of the UN for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca spoke to Maldives' foreign minister over the phone

UN chief Antonio Guterres asked Maldives president Abdulla Yameen to uphold the Constitution as the country to continued to reel in crisis. In a U-turn on Tuesday, the Maldives Supreme Court revoked its earlier order to release political prisoners even as president Yameen declared emergency in the country. The UN chief's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement said, "The Secretary-General urges the Government of the Maldives to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, lift the state of emergency as soon as possible, and take all measures to ensure the safety and security of the people in the country, including members of the judiciary." Assistant Secretary-General of the UN for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca spoke to Maldives' foreign minister over the phone and expressed the Secretary-General's concern about the unfolding situation in the country, in particular, the arrest of the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed. Maldives plunged into chaos last week after the Supreme Court ordered the release of political prisoners declaring that the trials were "politically motivated and flawed". The Maldives president refused to release the prisoners as riot police stormed the Supreme Court and arrested several judges including the Chief Justice. Several political figures including ex-president Gayoom were also arrested by the police.

Maldives should lift state of emergency as soon as possible, says UN chief Guterres

Maldives ex-president Gayoom, 80, was arrested on Monday night as the government cracked down on political figures.

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the country on Monday as troops stormed the Supreme Court.

&quot;I have not done anything to be arrested,&quot; Gayoom said in a video message to supporters posted on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
A large number of <a href="https://twitter.com/PoliceMv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PoliceMv</a> around my residence. To protect me or to arrest me? No idea. <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbKeshap?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAmbKeshap</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AkhileshIFS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AkhileshIFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MNDF_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MNDF_Official</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hrcmv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hrcmv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/amnesty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@amnesty</a>
&mdash; Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/maumoonagayoom/status/960575120094896128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Maldives police also arrested President Yameen&#39;s estranged half-brother.&nbsp;

The charges against Maumoon Abdul Gayoom include bribery and attempting to overthrow the government, his lawyer said.

Gayoom was president of Maldives from 1978 to 2008.

Gayoom was president of Maldives from 1978 to 2008

Maldives ex-president Gayoom, 80, was arrested on Monday night as the government cracked down on political figures. Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the country on Monday as troops stormed the Supreme Court. "I have not done anything to be arrested," Gayoom said in a video message to supporters posted on Twitter. A large number of @PoliceMv around my residence. To protect me or to arrest me? No idea. @USAmbKeshap @AkhileshIFS @MNDF_Official @hrcmv @amnesty — Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) February 5, 2018 × Maldives police also arrested President Yameen's estranged half-brother. The charges against Maumoon Abdul Gayoom include bribery and attempting to overthrow the government, his lawyer said. Gayoom was president of Maldives from 1978 to 2008.

Watch: How Maldives police arrested ex-president Gayoom

WION &nbsp;spoke with the former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, in London. He spoke of the influence Saudi Arabia has had on the Maldives, the one China is trying to exert on it, and that it is imperative that the Maldives be a stable, democratic nation &ndash; for there has never been a stable Indian Ocean region without a stable Maldives.

Here is a full transcript of the interview.&nbsp;

Q: Thank you President Nasheed. Now you were the first democratically elected leader of the Maldives in 2008 supported by a coalition of opposition to President Gayoom. Why did you get into politics?

A: My joining politics was an accident of history. I started as a journalist. But every time I wrote, they arrested me. So I lost my twenties to jail. As an attempt to not be arrested, I became a member of Parliament. They arrested me. The arrests kept coming and finally we left the Maldives and formed a political party-in-exile in Sri Lanka and later in England. Through that, we were able to galvanise our people to political activism, amend the constitution and have our first multi-party election. So, because I was involved in all of this all throughout, right from &#39;89 up to 2005-2006, I had been working very hard. I was only writing, but I worked hard to defend human rights and freedom of expression. And I was fortunate to win that election in 2008.&nbsp;

Q: But by 2012 you were forced to resign and then later you had to go into exile a lot of pro-democracy supporters felt abandoned, why did you have to leave?

A: I was arrested after the election. After the coup, we went into another election in 2013. That was rigged. They kept nullifying the election results and going for another round, for as many rounds till they won it. Then we decided to be a loyal opposition and remain one. But in 6-7 months, President Yameen decided to arrest me. And then as a former President, I was in prison for one year. But I was able to leave on medical grounds with help from the UK, the US, India and Sri Lanka. I came to England and sought refuge here. I will go back. I intend to go back to the Maldives, hopefully soon. Yes it&rsquo;s sad I am not there. I miss the Maldives a lot. But unfortunately I have very little option.&nbsp;

Q: Now President Gayoom ruled the country for 30 years with an iron fist. He has been accused of being a despot and accused of torture but now you joining forces with him to try and oust the current president. Aren&rsquo;t you going to lose a lot of support from your backers?

A: I think there is a far greater need to get democracy back on track than me being popular. The issue is that the country must get back on a more democratic track. For that, everyone must join hands and try to find common ground. I am very happy that we&rsquo;ve managed to structure that coalition.&nbsp;

Q: Even though President Gayoom for many of your countrymen wouldn&#39;t represent democrarcy?

&nbsp;A: All of us, President Gayoom, myself, all other political leaders and the people of the Maldives, we&rsquo;ve learned a lot over the last 15 years. We&rsquo;ve experienced probably what other countries have gone through in 50 years. We went through the same in a period of 8-9 years. We&rsquo;ve all learned a lot and we must see that country is back on a proper democratic course. To do that, we must bring everyone together and isolate the President. Again, I am happy to be able to do that.&nbsp;

Q: Now there are rumours that President Gayoom asked for 100 thousand dollars from you to show your honesty and integrity and commitment to this and you have paid half of that sum. what do you say to that?

A: Anyone who knows me would know that I wouldn&rsquo;t have 50,000 dollars in my bank account. Right now, I have 6,000 pounds. And for me, 50,000 dollars is a lot of money. And I don&rsquo;t think President Gayoom, or anyone in the Maldives actually, would believe that. These are rumours and we must understand that. There are no facts whatsoever to this rumour. It would be silly wouldn&rsquo;t it? President Gayoom asking me for money! I don&rsquo;t think that would every happen and no, it did not happen.&nbsp;

Q: So who is benefiting from spreading these rumours?

A: It is President Yameen who is benefitting from spreading these rumours.&nbsp;

Q: This is all coming from President Yameen?

A: He has a rumour-mongering mill that produces all these false allegations. Then he even brings them up in courts through trumped-up charges &ndash; kangaroo courts I would argue &ndash; and then sentences people with no facts on hand whatsoever. I am afraid that even today as we speak, one of the bigger businessmen in the Maldives has been charged for bribing MPs. When President Gayoom left the government, there were about 17 MPs who crossed sides. That&rsquo;s all that happened. People who supported President Gayoom crossed over to the Opposition.&nbsp;

Q: You have previously said that the vice president is a victim rather than an accomplice to president Yameen. How so?

A: When I started getting to know former vice president Ahmed Adeeb, he was very young. He still is, &nbsp;about 32 I think. Then he came into politics, into a big job, and was given tasks by the President. You would know from the television documentary how President Yameen had tasked him to do all these things. I am not suggesting that he is innocent. But we must look into all the connections and the bigger picture of what was happening. So I think Adeeb was a victim.&nbsp;

Q: Well in the documentary there is certainly a lot of proof on his phone that he is connected.&nbsp;

A: Of course he is connected. I am not arguing that he isn&rsquo;t. But we must go through a proper investigation, a proper trial to finally say that. What I am saying is that he came into this because of President Yameen. Yameen inducted him into these wrongdoings.&nbsp;

Q: So he is a victim of persuasion?

A: Yes, a victim of persuasion. Power is a rather odd thing. You can get all sorts of people to do anything. When you are the President. And I am telling you after having been one. And I am telling you that President Yameen is in the business of bringing in young people to task them with things that he wants done.&nbsp;

Q: So as a President do you think you have overstepped the mark with power then?

A: I would agree.&nbsp;

Q: How so?

A: After 30 years of single-party rule autocracy, it is possible to topple a dictator. But it is not so easy to uproot a dictatorship. We have never had multi-party governance or multi-party politics in the Maldives. We are still very feudal and therefore to move from feudalism to pluralism overnight is not possible. So there have been instances. I am sure if you go into my government and analyse it you would see instances of the President &ndash; me &ndash; doing doing or envisaging things that he shouldn&rsquo;t have.&nbsp;

Q: Anything spring to mind?

A: One of the things was the schools and the health system. Especially the power houses. Our islands have local, small powerhouses. We have 196 islands and we wanted to, in our govt, consolidate all these powerhouses into a number of bigger companies. But these powerhouses were actually owned by islanders and we were too harsh in trying to get that back into a system. That was our intention. But what we actually did is to confiscate someone else&rsquo;s property.&nbsp;

Q: It is very brave to admit your failings.&nbsp;

A: We have to move forward and learn from our mistakes. I worry about these things. I worry about how we governed and therefore I sit down and think and try to come out with it.&nbsp;

Q: Now you have been shuttling from Sri Lanka to London where you now live. has either of these countries provided you with any support for your cause?

A: England has given me safe refuge. I have not done anything wrong in Sri Lanka according to Lankan law. So Sri Lanka being a free country, I can always go there. I meet the President, PM &ndash; I&rsquo;ve known them before they came to power and before I became President. I used to work in Sri Lanka as a journalist in the nineties. So I know the country and a number of people, their society. Sri Lankans are always helpful. I have always had the view that to stabilise the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka must play a more robust role. Sri Lanka has 20 million people, 500,000 soldiers and a booming economy &ndash; they are I think 3% of world trade. It&rsquo;s a good country to take more control.&nbsp;

Q: Now you have received support from Western human rights groups and the celebrity lawyer, Amal Clooney. Now some in South Asia are weary of these groups believing they have a geo-political agenda. What do you say to those concerns?

&nbsp;A: Pain is not a geo-political agenda. Human rights is not. You feel pain, I feel pain. If you torture anyone, you will feel the pain. So I think it is very important we try to eradicate human rights abuses and see we get proper and correct governance. I don&rsquo;t think or believe that South Asians would mistake me or our intentions. I have lived almost all my life in South Asia. I am a South Asian and I believe that South Asian people are aware of our predicament and what we are trying to do.&nbsp;

Q: Now the Maldives have always been a traditional but tolerant Islamic country but that seems to be changing. Do you believe that is the influence of Saudi Wahhabism?

A: The Saudis have propagated a very narrow version of Islam in the Maldives for the last 40 years. Therefore, a fair number of people of the Maldives have prescribed to that view of Islam. That has also created a breeding ground for more radical Islam &ndash; the ISIS and other jihadi groups. So I think yes that it is very unfortunate that this has happened and is going on. We must understand that any Islamic movement anywhere in the world is going to have an impact on the Maldives as well. But we must be mindful of what&rsquo;s happening and we must protect, we must make sure we maintain our way of life. We were brought up as Muslims. We remain Muslims and we remain understanding Muslims not at odds with the rest of the world.&nbsp;

Q: The highest number of South Asian jihadist have come from the Maldives. Where is this radical Islam coming from?

A: From the propagation of this very narrow version of Islam by the Saudis for the last 40 years &ndash; they have their imams, they have their mosques, and they are now wanting to change the school curriculum. Apparently, train our judiciary. Apparently, train our military. Apparently, they also want to purchase an atoll. They of course do want to come to holiday and they are very welcome to do that. But all the other work they have done in the last so many years, we are just waking up to it.&nbsp;

Q: It could be philanthropic motives. They could just want to help the Maldives.

A: It could be but unfortunately the vested interest in it and the strategic agenda behind it, it is now becoming very obvious.&nbsp;

Q: Any you think that is radical Islam?

A: I think it is more than radical Islam. They know that the West is not going to continue buying their oil. And they know that their biggest market would lie in Asia, in China. But you cannot cross the Indian Ocean without crossing the Maldives. You can&rsquo;t take your oil to China without crossing the Maldives. Therefore, the Maldives becomes strategically important. It is our strategic location that is our undoing and therefore they have strategic designs on the Maldives.&nbsp;

Q: Now China is making strides in the Indian Ocean, they have bought an atoll and that has New Delhi worried. What do you think the Chinese strategy is?

A: We have signed into the Chinese maritime silk route under President Yameen. Again, they want to safeguard and own shipping routes and trade routes. And again, our strategic location means that therefore they must have clout in the Maldives. They have, already, as you mentioned, bought a number of islands and are in the process of establishing strategic infrastructure on these islands. This is very, very unfortunate but it is happening at rapid speed and therefore we must be very, very mindful of what&rsquo;s going on. If you do not have a stable Maldives, you will not have a stable Indian Ocean. Historically, this has always been true.&nbsp;

Q: Does China&rsquo;s desire to dominate the Ocean worry you?

A: Yes, it does worry us tremendously. We have always been an independent country for the last 2,000-3,000 years and we have a language of our own, a written history that goes back 1,500 years and we like to have control over our affairs. We like to be asked.&nbsp;

Q: You think that China&rsquo;s influence, buying the islands, means that China wants to control the Maldives?

A: It is difficult to see how the Chinese could do anything other than control the Maldives. Our biggest worry is human rights. And they are not concerned about democracy and governance. This is no reason not to like the Chinese &ndash; we do like the Chinese people, that&rsquo;s not the issue here. The issue is that they have a single-party state and want to impress their ideas, their views, their ways on us and we don&rsquo;t like that.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Q: Now many people will remember your high publicised underwater cabinet meeting on the ocean floor to highlight the rising sea levels. Was that a publicity stunt?

A: Our means are very modest we don&rsquo;t have large funds for publicity. When we went to the 2009 Copenhagen summit, we were of the view that the international community must understand the gravity of the issue, especially about low-lying islands. We asked a publicity company but they quoted a huge figure which we couldn&rsquo;t pay. So we thought let&rsquo;s give it a shot ourselves. And came up with this idea. The objective was to impress upon the international community the gravity of the issue. And I hope that we achieved, and I believe we achieved, that objective.&nbsp;

Q: How serious is climate change for the Maldives? Is it the most pressing issue?

A: Climate change is the most pressing issue. We will not be there. Sea levels will rise. It&rsquo;s a done deal now. So, we must go into more adaptation, we must find ways how we may be able to survive after climate change.&nbsp;

Q: There is no reversing?

A: There is no reversing this, with respect to the Maldives. The planet is going to get hotter by 2 degrees. Because we already have 400 parts per million of carbon in our atmosphere, the planet is heating. Our coral is bleaching, the seas are rising, the glaciers are melting &ndash; we can see all this already. It is very obvious. You can&rsquo;t cut a deal with physics. You can&rsquo;t negotiate with the laws of science and it is madness to think we could find other solutions. No, we can&rsquo;t. Unfortunately, we are now faced with this predicament, this difficulty, and now the only option available to us would be heavy adaptation. And even in adaptation, the most important measures are democracy, governance and protection of human rights. Without that, you do the wrong things, build the wrong water breakers at the wrong places, you do everything wrong. So first is democracy and then, perhaps better adaptation methods. Again, I would seek more biological natural adaptation than concrete adaptation.&nbsp;

Q: Were you then dismayed when you heard the American President, Donald Trump, say that climate change isn&rsquo;t happening?

A: The American people would understand and would know. I don&rsquo;t think any politician can change these facts. We can say these things. There are people who still don&rsquo;t believe that man landed on the moon. Even in the Maldives, I&rsquo;ve met many such. But that doesn&rsquo;t mean people didn&rsquo;t go to the moon. Again, the science is sorted.&nbsp;

Q: But he is not any man. He is the President of the United States.Does that not worry you?

A: Well, we have to respect the decision of the people of the United States. They decided to elect a P:resident as they always do. And for all sorts of reasons we now have one whom some of the liberal left do not like. But we have seen so many Republican presidents. People had reservations about them but they came out looking like having done good work. I&rsquo;ll point to President Reagan.&nbsp;

Q: So you have hope.&nbsp;

A: Because I am a centre-right politician!

Q: Have you met Prime Minister Modi?

A: I have met PM Modi before he became PM. But when the election happened, I was in jail so I didn&rsquo;t have an opportunity to meet him as PM.&nbsp;

Q: What do you make of him as a leader?

A: I think he is an excellent leader. I quite like the way he is going about it. Indian development is so rapid and for the benefit of not only South Asia but the rest of the world as well.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Q: Now India has been providing financial aid to the Maldives - supporting a hospital and even the army - are you somewhat disappointed that democratic India is supporting the current government and not backing your cause?

A: No, I am not disappointed. I think India should always be engaged in the Maldives no matter who is in government. think it would be highly irresponsible if the Indian government did not do that.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="videos-block">
<div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yz2D3u4G05E"></iframe></div>
</div>

<div class="media-description">
WION&#39;s Amanda Clark spoke with the former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, in London. He talks about the influence Saudi Arabia has had on the Maldives, China&#39;s desire to dominate the Indian ocean, Indian PM Modi and more. (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Mohamed Nasheed added that 'India should always be engaged in the Maldives no matter who is in government'

WION spoke with the former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, in London. He spoke of the influence Saudi Arabia has had on the Maldives, the one China is trying to exert on it, and that it is imperative that the Maldives be a stable, democratic nation – for there has never been a stable Indian Ocean region without a stable Maldives. Here is a full transcript of the interview. Q: Thank you President Nasheed. Now you were the first democratically elected leader of the Maldives in 2008 supported by a coalition of opposition to President Gayoom. Why did you get into politics? A: My joining politics was an accident of history. I started as a journalist. But every time I wrote, they arrested me. So I lost my twenties to jail. As an attempt to not be arrested, I became a member of Parliament. They arrested me. The arrests kept coming and finally we left the Maldives and formed a political party-in-exile in Sri Lanka and later in England. Through that, we were able to galvanise our people to political activism, amend the constitution and have our first multi-party election. So, because I was involved in all of this all throughout, right from '89 up to 2005-2006, I had been working very hard. I was only writing, but I worked hard to defend human rights and freedom of expression. And I was fortunate to win that election in 2008. Q: But by 2012 you were forced to resign and then later you had to go into exile a lot of pro-democracy supporters felt abandoned, why did you have to leave? A: I was arrested after the election. After the coup, we went into another election in 2013. That was rigged. They kept nullifying the election results and going for another round, for as many rounds till they won it. Then we decided to be a loyal opposition and remain one. But in 6-7 months, President Yameen decided to arrest me. And then as a former President, I was in prison for one year. But I was able to leave on medical grounds with help from the UK, the US, India and Sri Lanka. I came to England and sought refuge here. I will go back. I intend to go back to the Maldives, hopefully soon. Yes it’s sad I am not there. I miss the Maldives a lot. But unfortunately I have very little option. Q: Now President Gayoom ruled the country for 30 years with an iron fist. He has been accused of being a despot and accused of torture but now you joining forces with him to try and oust the current president. Aren’t you going to lose a lot of support from your backers? A: I think there is a far greater need to get democracy back on track than me being popular. The issue is that the country must get back on a more democratic track. For that, everyone must join hands and try to find common ground. I am very happy that we’ve managed to structure that coalition. Q: Even though President Gayoom for many of your countrymen wouldn't represent democrarcy? A: All of us, President Gayoom, myself, all other political leaders and the people of the Maldives, we’ve learned a lot over the last 15 years. We’ve experienced probably what other countries have gone through in 50 years. We went through the same in a period of 8-9 years. We’ve all learned a lot and we must see that country is back on a proper democratic course. To do that, we must bring everyone together and isolate the President. Again, I am happy to be able to do that. Q: Now there are rumours that President Gayoom asked for 100 thousand dollars from you to show your honesty and integrity and commitment to this and you have paid half of that sum. what do you say to that? A: Anyone who knows me would know that I wouldn’t have 50,000 dollars in my bank account. Right now, I have 6,000 pounds. And for me, 50,000 dollars is a lot of money. And I don’t think President Gayoom, or anyone in the Maldives actually, would believe that. These are rumours and we must understand that. There are no facts whatsoever to this rumour. It would be silly wouldn’t it? President Gayoom asking me for money! I don’t think that would every happen and no, it did not happen. Q: So who is benefiting from spreading these rumours? A: It is President Yameen who is benefitting from spreading these rumours. Q: This is all coming from President Yameen? A: He has a rumour-mongering mill that produces all these false allegations. Then he even brings them up in courts through trumped-up charges – kangaroo courts I would argue – and then sentences people with no facts on hand whatsoever. I am afraid that even today as we speak, one of the bigger businessmen in the Maldives has been charged for bribing MPs. When President Gayoom left the government, there were about 17 MPs who crossed sides. That’s all that happened. People who supported President Gayoom crossed over to the Opposition. Q: You have previously said that the vice president is a victim rather than an accomplice to president Yameen. How so? A: When I started getting to know former vice president Ahmed Adeeb, he was very young. He still is, about 32 I think. Then he came into politics, into a big job, and was given tasks by the President. You would know from the television documentary how President Yameen had tasked him to do all these things. I am not suggesting that he is innocent. But we must look into all the connections and the bigger picture of what was happening. So I think Adeeb was a victim. Q: Well in the documentary there is certainly a lot of proof on his phone that he is connected. A: Of course he is connected. I am not arguing that he isn’t. But we must go through a proper investigation, a proper trial to finally say that. What I am saying is that he came into this because of President Yameen. Yameen inducted him into these wrongdoings. Q: So he is a victim of persuasion? A: Yes, a victim of persuasion. Power is a rather odd thing. You can get all sorts of people to do anything. When you are the President. And I am telling you after having been one. And I am telling you that President Yameen is in the business of bringing in young people to task them with things that he wants done. Q: So as a President do you think you have overstepped the mark with power then? A: I would agree. Q: How so? A: After 30 years of single-party rule autocracy, it is possible to topple a dictator. But it is not so easy to uproot a dictatorship. We have never had multi-party governance or multi-party politics in the Maldives. We are still very feudal and therefore to move from feudalism to pluralism overnight is not possible. So there have been instances. I am sure if you go into my government and analyse it you would see instances of the President – me – doing doing or envisaging things that he shouldn’t have. Q: Anything spring to mind? A: One of the things was the schools and the health system. Especially the power houses. Our islands have local, small powerhouses. We have 196 islands and we wanted to, in our govt, consolidate all these powerhouses into a number of bigger companies. But these powerhouses were actually owned by islanders and we were too harsh in trying to get that back into a system. That was our intention. But what we actually did is to confiscate someone else’s property. Q: It is very brave to admit your failings. A: We have to move forward and learn from our mistakes. I worry about these things. I worry about how we governed and therefore I sit down and think and try to come out with it. Q: Now you have been shuttling from Sri Lanka to London where you now live. has either of these countries provided you with any support for your cause? A: England has given me safe refuge. I have not done anything wrong in Sri Lanka according to Lankan law. So Sri Lanka being a free country, I can always go there. I meet the President, PM – I’ve known them before they came to power and before I became President. I used to work in Sri Lanka as a journalist in the nineties. So I know the country and a number of people, their society. Sri Lankans are always helpful. I have always had the view that to stabilise the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka must play a more robust role. Sri Lanka has 20 million people, 500,000 soldiers and a booming economy – they are I think 3% of world trade. It’s a good country to take more control. Q: Now you have received support from Western human rights groups and the celebrity lawyer, Amal Clooney. Now some in South Asia are weary of these groups believing they have a geo-political agenda. What do you say to those concerns? A: Pain is not a geo-political agenda. Human rights is not. You feel pain, I feel pain. If you torture anyone, you will feel the pain. So I think it is very important we try to eradicate human rights abuses and see we get proper and correct governance. I don’t think or believe that South Asians would mistake me or our intentions. I have lived almost all my life in South Asia. I am a South Asian and I believe that South Asian people are aware of our predicament and what we are trying to do. Q: Now the Maldives have always been a traditional but tolerant Islamic country but that seems to be changing. Do you believe that is the influence of Saudi Wahhabism? A: The Saudis have propagated a very narrow version of Islam in the Maldives for the last 40 years. Therefore, a fair number of people of the Maldives have prescribed to that view of Islam. That has also created a breeding ground for more radical Islam – the ISIS and other jihadi groups. So I think yes that it is very unfortunate that this has happened and is going on. We must understand that any Islamic movement anywhere in the world is going to have an impact on the Maldives as well. But we must be mindful of what’s happening and we must protect, we must make sure we maintain our way of life. We were brought up as Muslims. We remain Muslims and we remain understanding Muslims not at odds with the rest of the world. Q: The highest number of South Asian jihadist have come from the Maldives. Where is this radical Islam coming from? A: From the propagation of this very narrow version of Islam by the Saudis for the last 40 years – they have their imams, they have their mosques, and they are now wanting to change the school curriculum. Apparently, train our judiciary. Apparently, train our military. Apparently, they also want to purchase an atoll. They of course do want to come to holiday and they are very welcome to do that. But all the other work they have done in the last so many years, we are just waking up to it. Q: It could be philanthropic motives. They could just want to help the Maldives. A: It could be but unfortunately the vested interest in it and the strategic agenda behind it, it is now becoming very obvious. Q: Any you think that is radical Islam? A: I think it is more than radical Islam. They know that the West is not going to continue buying their oil. And they know that their biggest market would lie in Asia, in China. But you cannot cross the Indian Ocean without crossing the Maldives. You can’t take your oil to China without crossing the Maldives. Therefore, the Maldives becomes strategically important. It is our strategic location that is our undoing and therefore they have strategic designs on the Maldives. Q: Now China is making strides in the Indian Ocean, they have bought an atoll and that has New Delhi worried. What do you think the Chinese strategy is? A: We have signed into the Chinese maritime silk route under President Yameen. Again, they want to safeguard and own shipping routes and trade routes. And again, our strategic location means that therefore they must have clout in the Maldives. They have, already, as you mentioned, bought a number of islands and are in the process of establishing strategic infrastructure on these islands. This is very, very unfortunate but it is happening at rapid speed and therefore we must be very, very mindful of what’s going on. If you do not have a stable Maldives, you will not have a stable Indian Ocean. Historically, this has always been true. Q: Does China’s desire to dominate the Ocean worry you? A: Yes, it does worry us tremendously. We have always been an independent country for the last 2,000-3,000 years and we have a language of our own, a written history that goes back 1,500 years and we like to have control over our affairs. We like to be asked. Q: You think that China’s influence, buying the islands, means that China wants to control the Maldives? A: It is difficult to see how the Chinese could do anything other than control the Maldives. Our biggest worry is human rights. And they are not concerned about democracy and governance. This is no reason not to like the Chinese – we do like the Chinese people, that’s not the issue here. The issue is that they have a single-party state and want to impress their ideas, their views, their ways on us and we don’t like that. Q: Now many people will remember your high publicised underwater cabinet meeting on the ocean floor to highlight the rising sea levels. Was that a publicity stunt? A: Our means are very modest we don’t have large funds for publicity. When we went to the 2009 Copenhagen summit, we were of the view that the international community must understand the gravity of the issue, especially about low-lying islands. We asked a publicity company but they quoted a huge figure which we couldn’t pay. So we thought let’s give it a shot ourselves. And came up with this idea. The objective was to impress upon the international community the gravity of the issue. And I hope that we achieved, and I believe we achieved, that objective. Q: How serious is climate change for the Maldives? Is it the most pressing issue? A: Climate change is the most pressing issue. We will not be there. Sea levels will rise. It’s a done deal now. So, we must go into more adaptation, we must find ways how we may be able to survive after climate change. Q: There is no reversing? A: There is no reversing this, with respect to the Maldives. The planet is going to get hotter by 2 degrees. Because we already have 400 parts per million of carbon in our atmosphere, the planet is heating. Our coral is bleaching, the seas are rising, the glaciers are melting – we can see all this already. It is very obvious. You can’t cut a deal with physics. You can’t negotiate with the laws of science and it is madness to think we could find other solutions. No, we can’t. Unfortunately, we are now faced with this predicament, this difficulty, and now the only option available to us would be heavy adaptation. And even in adaptation, the most important measures are democracy, governance and protection of human rights. Without that, you do the wrong things, build the wrong water breakers at the wrong places, you do everything wrong. So first is democracy and then, perhaps better adaptation methods. Again, I would seek more biological natural adaptation than concrete adaptation. Q: Were you then dismayed when you heard the American President, Donald Trump, say that climate change isn’t happening? A: The American people would understand and would know. I don’t think any politician can change these facts. We can say these things. There are people who still don’t believe that man landed on the moon. Even in the Maldives, I’ve met many such. But that doesn’t mean people didn’t go to the moon. Again, the science is sorted. Q: But he is not any man. He is the President of the United States.Does that not worry you? A: Well, we have to respect the decision of the people of the United States. They decided to elect a P:resident as they always do. And for all sorts of reasons we now have one whom some of the liberal left do not like. But we have seen so many Republican presidents. People had reservations about them but they came out looking like having done good work. I’ll point to President Reagan. Q: So you have hope. A: Because I am a centre-right politician! Q: Have you met Prime Minister Modi? A: I have met PM Modi before he became PM. But when the election happened, I was in jail so I didn’t have an opportunity to meet him as PM. Q: What do you make of him as a leader? A: I think he is an excellent leader. I quite like the way he is going about it. Indian development is so rapid and for the benefit of not only South Asia but the rest of the world as well. Q: Now India has been providing financial aid to the Maldives - supporting a hospital and even the army - are you somewhat disappointed that democratic India is supporting the current government and not backing your cause? A: No, I am not disappointed. I think India should always be engaged in the Maldives no matter who is in government. think it would be highly irresponsible if the Indian government did not do that. WION's Amanda Clark spoke with the former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, in London. He talks about the influence Saudi Arabia has had on the Maldives, China's desire to dominate the Indian ocean, Indian PM Modi and more. (WION) ×

It is difficult to see how the Chinese could do anything other than control the Maldives: Ex-Maldives president

Former President of the Maldives and leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom called on the government Monday to lift the restraints its has allegedly placed on the country&#39;s media. He also called for the establishment of an environment conducive for free media.

In a statement released by him, he highlighted journalists and media organisations allegedly being intimidated by the government and raised concerns over the ongoing criminal investigations against several journalists. &nbsp;

Gayoom said several journalists have been arrested and convicted while they were going about their duty.

He said media freedom and journalism are among the&nbsp;fundamentals needed to make a government accountable for its actions and to ensure the rights of citizens.

Expressing the concerns of PPM members over the several challenges faced for media freedom in Maldives, Gayoom alleged that the new Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act was an attempt by the government to silence the media and limit press freedom and freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution.&nbsp;

&quot;Creating a law in the name of defamation with hefty punishments, is to hide certain people&#39;s&nbsp;corruption activities and silencing journalism,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Regarding an ongoing criminal investigation under the defamation act, Gayoom said reporting a word of another person is not a crime and a journalist or media stations should not bear the punishment for it.

Gayoom also raised concern over the lack of efforts to find abducted journalist Ahmed Rilwan, who has been missing for over two years.

He called on the government to investigate threats and attacks against journalists and take actions against those responsible for it.

(WION)

 
&nbsp;

In a statement, he highlighted journalists and media organisations allegedly being intimidated by the government

Former President of the Maldives and leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom called on the government Monday to lift the restraints its has allegedly placed on the country's media. He also called for the establishment of an environment conducive for free media. In a statement released by him, he highlighted journalists and media organisations allegedly being intimidated by the government and raised concerns over the ongoing criminal investigations against several journalists. Gayoom said several journalists have been arrested and convicted while they were going about their duty. He said media freedom and journalism are among the fundamentals needed to make a government accountable for its actions and to ensure the rights of citizens. Expressing the concerns of PPM members over the several challenges faced for media freedom in Maldives, Gayoom alleged that the new Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act was an attempt by the government to silence the media and limit press freedom and freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution. "Creating a law in the name of defamation with hefty punishments, is to hide certain people's corruption activities and silencing journalism," he said. Regarding an ongoing criminal investigation under the defamation act, Gayoom said reporting a word of another person is not a crime and a journalist or media stations should not bear the punishment for it. Gayoom also raised concern over the lack of efforts to find abducted journalist Ahmed Rilwan, who has been missing for over two years. He called on the government to investigate threats and attacks against journalists and take actions against those responsible for it. (WION)

Maldives: Ex-president Gayoom calls on govt to lift restraints on media

The Maldives state broadcaster, Public Service Media, (PSM) has taken down an article accusing former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of being anti-Islamic, the Maldives Independent reported today. 
 
&ldquo;PSM triggered a storm of criticism as it posted the article, just a day after the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives approved a widely condemned law criminalisng defamation.&rdquo; Maldives Independent wrote. 
 
Gayoom had earlier appealed to MPs to reject the bill. 
&nbsp;

<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
In the spirit of our Constitution which is in line with Islamic principles I appeal to all MPs to reject the current bill on defamation.
&mdash; Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/maumoonagayoom/status/762702778003185664">August 8, 2016</a></blockquote>
</div>

 
 
The current President Abdula Yameen is the former president&#39;s&nbsp;half-brother and the two are fighting for the control of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). 
 
Gayoom had taken to microblogging site Twitter after the law was passed. 
 
&nbsp;

<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Integrity and courage are crucial for success in all political endeavours. If we allow fear to restrict our actions we will never deliver.
&mdash; Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/maumoonagayoom/status/763425062489686016">August 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
</div>

 
Maldives Independent reported that PSM, in its online article, interpreted Gayoom&rsquo;s tweet as &ldquo;support for what it calls the secular policies of exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed&quot;. 
 
&ldquo;President Maumoon&rsquo;s sudden change of stance, in line with Nasheed&rsquo;s, and encouragement of fun without fear came as a surprise to many. This raises questions over what the nearly 80-year old Maumoon may say next,&rdquo; a broadcast of the report aired on PSM&rsquo;s Television Maldives said. &ldquo;We are now starting to believe that Maumoon, like Nasheed did, will start advocating in his tweets for Maldivians to behave like white people, to back-bite and criticise, and not to stay sober all the time.&rdquo; 
 
According to Maldives Independent, PSM had cited unnamed media reports and alleged that Gayoom was in talks with the opposition &ldquo;to ensure he is given the title of Maldives&rsquo; supreme leader and to facilitate his son&rsquo;s rise to power.&rdquo; 
 
&ldquo;The state broadcaster is 38 years old. I have never seen such a deplorable article on TVM yet,&rdquo; wrote Hussain Hussain, a Sun Online journalist and member of print and online media regulator. &ldquo;What will be the result of stoking the fire of hate that burns here?&rdquo; 
 
 
 
 
?

Gayoom, like former president Nasheed, will start advocating in his tweets for Maldivians to behave like white people, the report said

The Maldives state broadcaster, Public Service Media, (PSM) has taken down an article accusing former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of being anti-Islamic, the Maldives Independent reported today. “PSM triggered a storm of criticism as it posted the article, just a day after the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives approved a widely condemned law criminalisng defamation.” Maldives Independent wrote. Gayoom had earlier appealed to MPs to reject the bill. In the spirit of our Constitution which is in line with Islamic principles I appeal to all MPs to reject the current bill on defamation. — Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) August 8, 2016 The current President Abdula Yameen is the former president's half-brother and the two are fighting for the control of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). Gayoom had taken to microblogging site Twitter after the law was passed. Integrity and courage are crucial for success in all political endeavours. If we allow fear to restrict our actions we will never deliver. — Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) August 10, 2016 Maldives Independent reported that PSM, in its online article, interpreted Gayoom’s tweet as “support for what it calls the secular policies of exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed". “President Maumoon’s sudden change of stance, in line with Nasheed’s, and encouragement of fun without fear came as a surprise to many. This raises questions over what the nearly 80-year old Maumoon may say next,” a broadcast of the report aired on PSM’s Television Maldives said. “We are now starting to believe that Maumoon, like Nasheed did, will start advocating in his tweets for Maldivians to behave like white people, to back-bite and criticise, and not to stay sober all the time.” According to Maldives Independent, PSM had cited unnamed media reports and alleged that Gayoom was in talks with the opposition “to ensure he is given the title of Maldives’ supreme leader and to facilitate his son’s rise to power.” “The state broadcaster is 38 years old. I have never seen such a deplorable article on TVM yet,” wrote Hussain Hussain, a Sun Online journalist and member of print and online media regulator. “What will be the result of stoking the fire of hate that burns here?” ?

State broadcaster takes down article criticising Gayoom, reports Maldives Independent

gayoom

Gayoom, News on Gayoom, stories on Gayoom, articles on Gayoom, Gayoom stories at Wion, Gayoom news, Gayoom latest news