Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini expressed confidence his champion squad will be able to retain their Barclays Premier League trophy after beating Malaysia in style. Playing in humid conditions in Malaysia as part of City's Far East tour, Mancini's boys wrapped up their visit with an impressive 3-1 victory Monday over the Southeast Asian team.
The star of the game was Argentine striker Sergio Aguero who looked fresh and full of energy after a brief summer rest.
Aguero, who scored the goal that won City their Premier League trophy in May, opened the scoring on 17th minutes and created the other two goals for Carlos Tevez and Adam Johnson.
Aguero had the chance to put City one up in the ninth minute when he rounded the Malaysian defence only to see his shot hit the crossbar.
But he was not to be denied eight minutes later when he burst past three defenders before chipping the ball over Malaysian goalkeeper Mohamad Farizal Marlias.
A smiling Mancini was delighted with the performances of his players and Aguero in particular and said the tour reinforced his belief the team can go all the way in the coming season.
"We were confident two weeks ago and I’m even more confident today. Sergio played very well and his partnership with Carlos has continued from last season," he said when asked about City's chances of retaining the Premiership title.
"They scored a goal each today which is good. Sergio also played in the wide position today but still produced the goods. Hopefully we can continue his good form in the coming season," he added.
Meanwhile the City manager was quick to downplay injury concerns surrounding team captain Vincent Kompany, who had to cut short his Malaysian tour after picking up a knock earlier in the week.
"It's nothing serious. He had a scan and should be fit to play against Chelsea in the Charity Shield in two weeks' time," Mancini said.
"I'm happy we didn’t have any injuries today despite playing two matches in four days. It is difficult but the players are alright now," he added.
Mancini described the tour as a "eye opener" for his team as he was able to try out several of his younger players.
Although City started as the favourites, it was Malaysia who nearly opened the scoring in the second minute when City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon handled the ball outside the box.
Pantilimon however made up for his error when he saved Safiq Rahim’s freekick.
It was City who then dominated play and kept the Malaysian side defending.
Just three minutes into the second-half Aguero turned provider, slipping the ball to compatriot Tevez, who dinked the ball home from close range.
Four minutes later Aguero’s sublime chip split the Malaysian defence and Johnson collected the ball on his chest before slotting home.
Malaysia pulled a goal back three minutes from time when substitute Azamuddin Akil dribbled through the City defence and hammered the ball past substitute goalkeeper Eirik Johansen.
City has three more friendlies before they play in the Community Shield against Chelsea on August 12.
City, who are visiting Malaysia for the first time, won 2-0 in a friendly against Premier League rivals Arsenal in Beijing on Friday.
Malaysia has hosted several top English Premier League clubs, who are increasingly keen to nurture a fan base and help attract sponsors in Asia.
Arsenal visited the Southeast Asian country before travelling to China to meet Manchester City. Queens Park Rangers played two friendlies in Malaysia earlier this month.
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Syrian helicopter gunships strafe Aleppo rebels
Syrian government forces used helicopter gunships to strafe rebel-held districts in Aleppo on Monday and shelled the area on the third day of a pitched battle for the commercial capital. The fighting has sent some 200,000 civilians fleeing the northern city, according to the United Nations, which warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe, while France said it would call an urgent UN Security Council meeting on Syria.
The head of the UN observer mission inside Syria said he had witnessed heavy shelling of Homs, Syria's third-largest city, on a field visit on Sunday during which UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the convoy came under small-arms fire by unknown assailants.
The army's offensive in Aleppo was focused on Salaheddin district in the southwest, a stronghold of the rebel Free Syrian Army, said the Syrian Revolution General Commission.
The army said later that it had overrun Salaheddin, although the rebels denied the claim.
Colonel Abdel Jabbar al-Oqaidi, head of the Free Syrian Army military council for Aleppo, insisted government troops had "not progressed one metre (yard)," and that the rebels still controlled "between 35 and 40 percent of Aleppo."
Inside the embattled district, whole streets and buildings were damaged, and electricity cables could be seen dangling between them.
While battles raged nearby, about 200 people waited in a queue to buy their daily bread from a rebel-controlled bakery.
Just outside Aleppo, rebels seized a strategic checkpoint after a 10-hour battle, AFP saw.
By securing the checkpoint, some five kilometres (3.8 miles) northwest of Aleppo, the rebels now control a direct route between the Turkish border and the commercial capital.
An AFP correspondent said the rebels captured seven tanks and armoured vehicles, and destroyed an eighth vehicle.
The Syrian Observatory for human Rights said the rebels had been able to make use of the captured armour. "Rebels used a tank they had captured from the army to target the military airport," the Britain-based watchdog said.
UN mission chief Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye said he was "deeply concerned about the ongoing violence from both sides in Aleppo."
"My observers there have reported an upsurge in the violence, with helicopters, tanks and artillery being used," the Senegalese general said.
"It is imperative that both sides respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians."
Gaye said that during his trip to Homs province on Sunday -- his first field visit since taking over the mission earlier this month -- he had seen heavy shelling in Homs and extensive damage in the battleground town of Rastan.
"There were damaged tanks left on the side of the streets, public infrastructure, such as bridges, was destroyed, and homes on the main roads inside the town were largely damaged," he said.
The five-vehicle convoy which was carrying Gaye came under small arms fire near Homs, a UN peacekeeping spokeswoman said.
"Fortunately there were no injuries," the UN chief told reporters.
UN officials said it was not known who had fired the shots.
There was renewed fighting in Homs province on Monday, in which the Syrian Observatory reported five rebel fighters and four civilians killed.
They were among 41 people the watchdog was able to confirm killed nationwide, although it admitted it had no immediate accurate figures for Aleppo.
"In a war context, it takes more time to accurately document the death toll," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
-- 200,000 flee --
UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said an estimated 200,000 people had fled from Aleppo in two days and that an unknown number were still trapped in the city.
Many people in Aleppo had sought shelter in schools and other public buildings.
"They urgently need food, mattresses and blankets, hygiene supplies and drinking water," she said.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that the assault on his own population in Aleppo would be a nail in his coffin.
"Aleppo is another tragic example of the kind of indiscriminate violence that the Assad regime has committed against its own people," Panetta told reporters.
"If they continue this kind of tragic attack on their own people in Aleppo, I think ultimately it will be a nail in Assad's coffin," he said.
US President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone Monday "to coordinate efforts to accelerate a political transition in Syria," the White House said.
Obama and Erdogan shared their concerns over the crackdown "and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions throughout Syria as a result of the regime's atrocities."
Syria's top diplomat in London Khaled al-Ayoubi resigned in protest against the "violent and oppressive" actions of the Assad regime, the British Foreign Office said.
It was the latest blow to the Damascus government after a series of defections of diplomats and senior army officers in recent weeks.
More than 20,000 people have been killed in Syria since the anti-Assad revolt began in March 2011, according to the Observatory. There is no way to independently verify the figure, while the UN has stopped keeping count.
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The head of the UN observer mission inside Syria said he had witnessed heavy shelling of Homs, Syria's third-largest city, on a field visit on Sunday during which UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the convoy came under small-arms fire by unknown assailants.
The army's offensive in Aleppo was focused on Salaheddin district in the southwest, a stronghold of the rebel Free Syrian Army, said the Syrian Revolution General Commission.
The army said later that it had overrun Salaheddin, although the rebels denied the claim.
Colonel Abdel Jabbar al-Oqaidi, head of the Free Syrian Army military council for Aleppo, insisted government troops had "not progressed one metre (yard)," and that the rebels still controlled "between 35 and 40 percent of Aleppo."
Inside the embattled district, whole streets and buildings were damaged, and electricity cables could be seen dangling between them.
While battles raged nearby, about 200 people waited in a queue to buy their daily bread from a rebel-controlled bakery.
Just outside Aleppo, rebels seized a strategic checkpoint after a 10-hour battle, AFP saw.
By securing the checkpoint, some five kilometres (3.8 miles) northwest of Aleppo, the rebels now control a direct route between the Turkish border and the commercial capital.
An AFP correspondent said the rebels captured seven tanks and armoured vehicles, and destroyed an eighth vehicle.
The Syrian Observatory for human Rights said the rebels had been able to make use of the captured armour. "Rebels used a tank they had captured from the army to target the military airport," the Britain-based watchdog said.
UN mission chief Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye said he was "deeply concerned about the ongoing violence from both sides in Aleppo."
"My observers there have reported an upsurge in the violence, with helicopters, tanks and artillery being used," the Senegalese general said.
"It is imperative that both sides respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians."
Gaye said that during his trip to Homs province on Sunday -- his first field visit since taking over the mission earlier this month -- he had seen heavy shelling in Homs and extensive damage in the battleground town of Rastan.
"There were damaged tanks left on the side of the streets, public infrastructure, such as bridges, was destroyed, and homes on the main roads inside the town were largely damaged," he said.
The five-vehicle convoy which was carrying Gaye came under small arms fire near Homs, a UN peacekeeping spokeswoman said.
"Fortunately there were no injuries," the UN chief told reporters.
UN officials said it was not known who had fired the shots.
There was renewed fighting in Homs province on Monday, in which the Syrian Observatory reported five rebel fighters and four civilians killed.
They were among 41 people the watchdog was able to confirm killed nationwide, although it admitted it had no immediate accurate figures for Aleppo.
"In a war context, it takes more time to accurately document the death toll," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.
-- 200,000 flee --
UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said an estimated 200,000 people had fled from Aleppo in two days and that an unknown number were still trapped in the city.
Many people in Aleppo had sought shelter in schools and other public buildings.
"They urgently need food, mattresses and blankets, hygiene supplies and drinking water," she said.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that the assault on his own population in Aleppo would be a nail in his coffin.
"Aleppo is another tragic example of the kind of indiscriminate violence that the Assad regime has committed against its own people," Panetta told reporters.
"If they continue this kind of tragic attack on their own people in Aleppo, I think ultimately it will be a nail in Assad's coffin," he said.
US President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone Monday "to coordinate efforts to accelerate a political transition in Syria," the White House said.
Obama and Erdogan shared their concerns over the crackdown "and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions throughout Syria as a result of the regime's atrocities."
Syria's top diplomat in London Khaled al-Ayoubi resigned in protest against the "violent and oppressive" actions of the Assad regime, the British Foreign Office said.
It was the latest blow to the Damascus government after a series of defections of diplomats and senior army officers in recent weeks.
More than 20,000 people have been killed in Syria since the anti-Assad revolt began in March 2011, according to the Observatory. There is no way to independently verify the figure, while the UN has stopped keeping count.
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No matter what the CNI conclusion maybe, won't accept that it was a coup: Gayoom
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has stressed that no matter what the findings of the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) set up to probe the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power on February 7 may be, he would not accept that the government had changed through a "coup d'etat." Speaking during a press conference held at the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) office after providing information to the CNI in relation to the accusations of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Gayoom detailed that he had responded to all the queries of the Commission.
He added that he had presented himself to the Commission upon a request by the CNI.
In response to a question from Haveeru whether he would accept the verdict of the CNI on the transfer of power, Gayoom said “I know it wasn’t a coup.†Hence his belief is that the government had not changed through a coup.
“I saw even if I was in Malaysia from the video recording of former President Mohamed Nasheed announcing his decision to step down. I’m resigning because the country might face more despair if I remain as the president. Also he wrote the letter of resignation by his own hand and sent it to the Parliament,†Gayoom said.
Gayoom said that there were no grounds to “claim it was a coup†after signing and forwarding the letter of resignation to the Parliament in accordance with the constitution.
“I made that point to the members of the Commission. I think they will also believe that. Then I told them that Mohamed Nasheed had made his statement and gone home and slept. It was only the following evening he decided to come out and claim that he had not resigned and it wasn’t a permanent resignation. So how can anyone believe that it was a coup? Something happened after 42 hours. Some people had persuaded him to change his mind. Before that he had admitted and accepted that he had in fact resigned,†he detailed.
Detailing the information given to the Commission with the media, Gayoom expressed his discontent over two issues he had noted of the commission. One of which he said was the inclusion of a member representing Nasheed.
“The reason I’m unhappy with the commission is that if it includes a representative of Nasheed, it should also include a representative of mine. It’s because Nasheed had made false accusations against me both locally and internationally. He had repeatedly claimed in Maldives and abroad that I was the mastermind behind the revolution. Hence if there is someone who supports his claims within the commission where is the justice in that?†he asked.
He also stated that it would only be fair if the commission would include a member representing him if the commission has a member representing Nasheed.
Gayoom stated that the second reason why he is discontent with the commission is because it is investigating the events from January 14 to February 8. He explained that the changes witnessed on February 7 occurred due to the public hatred created over the anti-Islamic, unlawful and illegal activities carried out by Nasheed prior to January 14. Gayoom stressed that the true picture would only be revealed if the probe includes the period since Nasheed assumed the presidency.
The former President revealed that he had responded to the CNI’s question of whether he had financed the coup by stressing that “I had not spent one cent.â€
He also said that he had denied having met the then Vice President and current President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik in Sonevafushi resort prior to the regime change, when asked by the Commission.
Gayoom said that his successor must now accept that he had played no part in the change in government.
Commission had also asked Gayoom’s opinion on a way to resolve the ongoing political standoff in the country, to which he had said that stability can only be attained if MDP ceases its acts of violence. According to Gayoom, he had also informed the CNI that a resolution could be sought through dialogue once MDP ends its efforts to create unrest.
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He added that he had presented himself to the Commission upon a request by the CNI.
In response to a question from Haveeru whether he would accept the verdict of the CNI on the transfer of power, Gayoom said “I know it wasn’t a coup.†Hence his belief is that the government had not changed through a coup.
“I saw even if I was in Malaysia from the video recording of former President Mohamed Nasheed announcing his decision to step down. I’m resigning because the country might face more despair if I remain as the president. Also he wrote the letter of resignation by his own hand and sent it to the Parliament,†Gayoom said.
Gayoom said that there were no grounds to “claim it was a coup†after signing and forwarding the letter of resignation to the Parliament in accordance with the constitution.
“I made that point to the members of the Commission. I think they will also believe that. Then I told them that Mohamed Nasheed had made his statement and gone home and slept. It was only the following evening he decided to come out and claim that he had not resigned and it wasn’t a permanent resignation. So how can anyone believe that it was a coup? Something happened after 42 hours. Some people had persuaded him to change his mind. Before that he had admitted and accepted that he had in fact resigned,†he detailed.
Detailing the information given to the Commission with the media, Gayoom expressed his discontent over two issues he had noted of the commission. One of which he said was the inclusion of a member representing Nasheed.
“The reason I’m unhappy with the commission is that if it includes a representative of Nasheed, it should also include a representative of mine. It’s because Nasheed had made false accusations against me both locally and internationally. He had repeatedly claimed in Maldives and abroad that I was the mastermind behind the revolution. Hence if there is someone who supports his claims within the commission where is the justice in that?†he asked.
He also stated that it would only be fair if the commission would include a member representing him if the commission has a member representing Nasheed.
Gayoom stated that the second reason why he is discontent with the commission is because it is investigating the events from January 14 to February 8. He explained that the changes witnessed on February 7 occurred due to the public hatred created over the anti-Islamic, unlawful and illegal activities carried out by Nasheed prior to January 14. Gayoom stressed that the true picture would only be revealed if the probe includes the period since Nasheed assumed the presidency.
The former President revealed that he had responded to the CNI’s question of whether he had financed the coup by stressing that “I had not spent one cent.â€
He also said that he had denied having met the then Vice President and current President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik in Sonevafushi resort prior to the regime change, when asked by the Commission.
Gayoom said that his successor must now accept that he had played no part in the change in government.
Commission had also asked Gayoom’s opinion on a way to resolve the ongoing political standoff in the country, to which he had said that stability can only be attained if MDP ceases its acts of violence. According to Gayoom, he had also informed the CNI that a resolution could be sought through dialogue once MDP ends its efforts to create unrest.
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Sunday, July 29, 2012
Minister pardoned for remarks against Councilors: City Council
Male City Council has excused Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu for the inappropriate comments made against the Councilors, citing that the Minister lacked political experience. In a press statement, Council labeled Minister’s remarks that the “city council resorts to harassment around every corner†was a blatant lie. Council also stressed that the claims against the Councilors elected by the majority of the people was highly inappropriate.
Council further assured to assist the Housing Minister in his limited efforts due to his lack of experience. The statement also urged the Minister to apologize for any inappropriate comments made against the people of Male.
Minister Muizzu revealed that given the Ministry has to contact the Male City Council on a daily basis the “harassment†has led to several challenges expressed his disappointment over the council's actions.
“…Even if there is a regulation written in Dhivehi they interpret it the complete opposite of what it means. If that is the political policy they adhere to then I don’t think the people have to accept them. Resorting to harassment and obstruction over every matter is their order of the day,†Muizzu had said.
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Council further assured to assist the Housing Minister in his limited efforts due to his lack of experience. The statement also urged the Minister to apologize for any inappropriate comments made against the people of Male.
Minister Muizzu revealed that given the Ministry has to contact the Male City Council on a daily basis the “harassment†has led to several challenges expressed his disappointment over the council's actions.
“…Even if there is a regulation written in Dhivehi they interpret it the complete opposite of what it means. If that is the political policy they adhere to then I don’t think the people have to accept them. Resorting to harassment and obstruction over every matter is their order of the day,†Muizzu had said.
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Fauzan, Majid deny Ayyubey murder charges
Fauzan and Majid both denied the charges of the murder of Dhaalu atoll Kudahuvadhoo, Samandhar, Ali 'Ayyubey' Hassan, at the Criminal Court on Sunday. The State had charged Fauzan Mohamed of Kudahuvadhoo, Fanas, and Ibrahim Majid of Ranakuri, in the brutal murder of Ayyubey in January.
At the hearing on Sunday, presenting the charges against the two, State attorney said that the two of them had conspired with others and had attacked Ayyubey while he was walking on dhandi miskiy magu at around 7.00 in the evening of January 8. Then they had stabbed Ayyubey to death with sharp objects and afterwards dragged his body inside an abandoned house nearby.
Hence the State attorney said that the two has been charged with murder in the first degree.
When individually asked by the Judge, about the charges, Fauzan denied the charges, asked for an opportunity to assign himself an attorney and asked the Judge to expedite the case.
Majid also denied the charges against him but stated that he had already appointed himself a lawyer and that the necessary documents had been forwarded to the court. However, no attorney was present at the courtroom during the hearing today.
In conclusion of the hearing, Judge Abdul Baaree Yusuf stated that the next hearing of the case will commence after a week’s time.
In addition to the two men, Ibrahim Waseem, a step-grandchild of Ayyubey had confessed to the murder during the trial at the Criminal Court earlier.
Three underage children are also being charged for the murder of Ayyubey at the Juvenile Court, who was believed to have been murdered for practicing black magic.
While two children have confessed to the murder, the State was given the opportunity to present DNA evidence against the third child who had denied the charges last month.
Eight heirs of Ayyubey who were presented in court had asked for the death penalty while the only heir remaining is yet to make a decision.
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At the hearing on Sunday, presenting the charges against the two, State attorney said that the two of them had conspired with others and had attacked Ayyubey while he was walking on dhandi miskiy magu at around 7.00 in the evening of January 8. Then they had stabbed Ayyubey to death with sharp objects and afterwards dragged his body inside an abandoned house nearby.
Hence the State attorney said that the two has been charged with murder in the first degree.
When individually asked by the Judge, about the charges, Fauzan denied the charges, asked for an opportunity to assign himself an attorney and asked the Judge to expedite the case.
Majid also denied the charges against him but stated that he had already appointed himself a lawyer and that the necessary documents had been forwarded to the court. However, no attorney was present at the courtroom during the hearing today.
In conclusion of the hearing, Judge Abdul Baaree Yusuf stated that the next hearing of the case will commence after a week’s time.
In addition to the two men, Ibrahim Waseem, a step-grandchild of Ayyubey had confessed to the murder during the trial at the Criminal Court earlier.
Three underage children are also being charged for the murder of Ayyubey at the Juvenile Court, who was believed to have been murdered for practicing black magic.
While two children have confessed to the murder, the State was given the opportunity to present DNA evidence against the third child who had denied the charges last month.
Eight heirs of Ayyubey who were presented in court had asked for the death penalty while the only heir remaining is yet to make a decision.
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Waheed, Mahloof given the right to counsel
Criminal Court today afforded both Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) deputy Parliamentary group leader and Thoddoo constituency MP Ali Waheed and Galolhu-south constituency MP Ahmed Mahloof the right to an attorney. Both MPs have been charged with obstruction of police duty.
During the hearing today Sate Attorney detailed that the Mahloof and Ali Waheed are being charged for removing the police barricades near Muliaage on March 25, 2010 and obstructing police personnel.
Both MPs are being charged under Article 75 of the Police Act which is impeding the duty of a police officer.
In response to the charges, Mahloof while explaining that though Waheed and he had belonged to the same political party earlier, now they had chosen different paths following political rifts and divergences in opinion, requested the Judge whether the hearings could be conducted separately.
However, the presiding Judge dismissed the request pointing out that the State wished to prosecute both the accused under one charge. The Judge further warned against bringing politics into the trial.
Mahloof stressed that as the alleged crime had taken place a while back the incident had faded from memory. He added that if he had in fact committed a crime he would face it without hesitation, but if he had not would strive to prove his innocence.
Ali Waheed in response said that the charges were unclear and stressed that he has never confronted the Police with a weapon. He also inquired whether anymore persons were being charged for the alleged offence.
State Attorney explained that the charges do not include any weapons and although mention that some others had been involved could not gather enough evidence for a prosecution apart from Waheed and Mahloof.
After the explanation, Waheed was still adamant that the charges were unclear and expressed his wish to continue in the presence of a lawyer.
Judge Abdull Didi, during the hearing today asked the State the reasons behind the delay in prosecuting the case.
State Attorney detailed that Mahloof and Ali Waheed had been prosecuted for the same offence earlier. However, the charges were withdrawn by the Prosecutor General (PG) under the authority to maintain political balance.
Speaking to reporters after today’s hearing, Mahloof told Haveeru that his case was investigated during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration and that it indicated Nasheed’s efforts to impede the freedom of speech and expression.
Ali Waheed stressed that the charges were politically motivated and pointed out that Nasheed had been prosecuted less than 24 hours after he had warned to remove the PG from the post.
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During the hearing today Sate Attorney detailed that the Mahloof and Ali Waheed are being charged for removing the police barricades near Muliaage on March 25, 2010 and obstructing police personnel.
Both MPs are being charged under Article 75 of the Police Act which is impeding the duty of a police officer.
In response to the charges, Mahloof while explaining that though Waheed and he had belonged to the same political party earlier, now they had chosen different paths following political rifts and divergences in opinion, requested the Judge whether the hearings could be conducted separately.
However, the presiding Judge dismissed the request pointing out that the State wished to prosecute both the accused under one charge. The Judge further warned against bringing politics into the trial.
Mahloof stressed that as the alleged crime had taken place a while back the incident had faded from memory. He added that if he had in fact committed a crime he would face it without hesitation, but if he had not would strive to prove his innocence.
Ali Waheed in response said that the charges were unclear and stressed that he has never confronted the Police with a weapon. He also inquired whether anymore persons were being charged for the alleged offence.
State Attorney explained that the charges do not include any weapons and although mention that some others had been involved could not gather enough evidence for a prosecution apart from Waheed and Mahloof.
After the explanation, Waheed was still adamant that the charges were unclear and expressed his wish to continue in the presence of a lawyer.
Judge Abdull Didi, during the hearing today asked the State the reasons behind the delay in prosecuting the case.
State Attorney detailed that Mahloof and Ali Waheed had been prosecuted for the same offence earlier. However, the charges were withdrawn by the Prosecutor General (PG) under the authority to maintain political balance.
Speaking to reporters after today’s hearing, Mahloof told Haveeru that his case was investigated during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration and that it indicated Nasheed’s efforts to impede the freedom of speech and expression.
Ali Waheed stressed that the charges were politically motivated and pointed out that Nasheed had been prosecuted less than 24 hours after he had warned to remove the PG from the post.
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Will counter UN report without hesitation: Abbas
Following the report by the United Nations Human Rights Committee Thursday, calling on Maldives to step up efforts to ensure human rights in the country, Government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has said that the Maldivian government would counter the report "transparently and without hesitation." Referring to the calls to allow for religious freedom and same sex rights made by the UN in the report, Abbas stressed that Maldives has signed the various international covenants to act in accordance with the constitution. He added that “nothing can be done outside the contours of the constitution.â€
Spokesperson further highlighted that Islam was declared as the religion in the Maldives by the majority of the Special Majlis (Parliament). Hence the authority to revise the decision and determine the view of the people can only be done through the Parliament, he added. Abbas also noted that despite the call by the UN for religious freedom in the Maldives, such a call is only echoed by a few in the country.
Abbas detailed that the UN’s report was based on the document submitted during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration. He alleged that the report had been shaped to achieve a specific outcome.
“As it turned out we had to respond to the report submitted by Nasheed’s government. We believe that that the report of Nasheed’s government had been fashioned to attain a specific result. That is a major offence,†Abbas said.
He further noted that while the UN has called to probe the alleged human rights abuses prior to 2008, Nasheed during his tenure as President had failed to investigate such incidents. He further raised question whether his government would be able to do so.
“Nasheed’s first order of business after taking the oath of office was to establish a Presidential Commission to probe into his predecessor former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s government. But till February 7, the Commission had not charged anyone,†Abbas said.
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Spokesperson further highlighted that Islam was declared as the religion in the Maldives by the majority of the Special Majlis (Parliament). Hence the authority to revise the decision and determine the view of the people can only be done through the Parliament, he added. Abbas also noted that despite the call by the UN for religious freedom in the Maldives, such a call is only echoed by a few in the country.
Abbas detailed that the UN’s report was based on the document submitted during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration. He alleged that the report had been shaped to achieve a specific outcome.
“As it turned out we had to respond to the report submitted by Nasheed’s government. We believe that that the report of Nasheed’s government had been fashioned to attain a specific result. That is a major offence,†Abbas said.
He further noted that while the UN has called to probe the alleged human rights abuses prior to 2008, Nasheed during his tenure as President had failed to investigate such incidents. He further raised question whether his government would be able to do so.
“Nasheed’s first order of business after taking the oath of office was to establish a Presidential Commission to probe into his predecessor former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s government. But till February 7, the Commission had not charged anyone,†Abbas said.
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