McKinnon is not pressing for Nasheed's freedom: AG

Attorney General Azima Shakoor today stressed that the Commonwealth was not pressing for the freedom of former President Mohamed Nasheed. To that end Azima refuted claims made by a prominent official of the government that the Commonwealth Special Envoy Sir Donald McKinnon who is currently in the Maldives has been pressing for the dismissal of any charges being filed against Nasheed.

She added that the official of the government, who had intimated information to Haveeru yesterday, was not a member of the team comprised for the discussions with the Special Envoy.

In addition to Azima, Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Gender Minister Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed, Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim and Special Advisor to the President Dr Hassan Saeed completes the team that is currently in discussions with McKinnon on behalf of the government.

Though Azima had rebutted the article regarding the Commonwealth’s attempt to ensure the freedom of the former President on Haveeru yesterday, she failed to disclose any details of the sit-down with the Special Envoy.

She revealed that the committee had decided not to divulge details to the media until after the departure of McKinnon from the Maldives.

The official wishing to remain anonymous had revealed that during McKinnon’s meeting with representatives of the government, he had urged not to take any action or charges against Nasheed.

“They (Commonwealth) want us to assure Nasheed’s freedom without any action or charges more than they want us to hold early presidential elections,” official added.

“We informed that we cannot impede or influence the justice system of this country. If a crime is committed than the guilty must be duly punished and that cannot be stopped even if the government wished to do so.”

The two cases which include the unconstitutional arrest and subsequent detention of Criminal Court’s Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed and the alcohol discovered from the official residence of the former President had been forwarded to the Prosecutor General.

However, it is yet to be determined whether any of the cases had been filed in court.
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