Former President Mohamed Nasheed's legal team last night said that the Police could not specify the alleged crime committed by Nasheed who was summoned to the Police station yesterday. In a live interview with Raajje TV, one of the lawyers of Nasheed and former Youth Minister Hassan Latheef noted that Nasheed had not been delivered an official chit summoning him to the Police and hence there was nothing Police could have done even if Nasheed had refused to go down to the station. However, he added that Nasheed had presented himself at the Police station to cooperate with an ongoing Police investigation.
Nasheed's other lawyer Hisaan Hussain revealed that the former President had repeatedly told the Police that though they had assured that he would get the opportunity to defend himself, he could only do so if he knew the crime that he had allegedly committed. Nasheed had repeatedly asked the Police to specify his alleged offense.
Hassan Latheef said that the Police allegation stated that Police personnel and property since May 29 have been subject to various attacks masterminded by Nasheed himself. However, Nasheed had repeatedly asked the Police to specify the exact offense and the type of damages inflicted.
The former Youth minister further labeled the presence of the Police Integrity Commission and Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) during Nasheed's questioning as a public relations stunt by the Police. He also raised questions with the motives of the Police by allowing independent bodies to observe just this case. He added that at a time when Police have been accused of forceful confessions, every case must be treated equally and without prejudice where every case should be opened for observers.
Hassan Latheef said that Nasheed had faced major difficulties in reaching the Police station as the former President had walked with his supporters from his residence while the Police had blocked off most of the streets leading up to the Police headquarters.
Supporters of Nasheed had clashed with Police in riot gear as the roads leading to the Police Headquarters near Republic Square had also been blocked off. Police had stressed that only Nasheed and his lawyer would be allowed behind police lines, while protesters struggled to follow the former President.
Police had also prevented opposition Raajje TV from moving past the barricades while Nasheed’s legal team and some MPs had insisted that the former President would only enter the Police station with journalists from Raajje TV. Following the initial refusal by Police, Nasheed had spent a considerable time sitting on a bench at the Republic Square.
Speaking to reporters Hisaan Hussain detailed that it had been extremely difficult for Nasheed to get to the station. But that Nasheed would not enter the station in the absence of a free media, referring to Raajje TV Hisaan added.
Close to 3.00 Nasheed finally entered the Police station along with his legal team, close aides and some journalists.
However, Raajje TV was once again sent behind the Police barricades as soon as Nasheed had entered the Police station.
After spending nearly two hours inside the station, Nasheed had cancelled the media interview after he saw that Raajje TV was absent as he came out. He then had sought out Raajje TV reporters beyond the Police barricades near Chaandhanee Magu for his interview.
During the interview, Nasheed said that both "traitors" and national police officers were inside the Police station. However, he did not disclose much details into the questioning and left shortly before sunset.
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