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Friends Of Maldives - Press Release

64 Milford Street

Salisbury

SP1 2BP

01722 504 330

United Kingdom

www.friendsofmaldives.co.uk

14 August 2004 13:24 (BST)

More arrests in Maldives as Government Clampdown Continues

Members of the Maldivian National Security Service (NSS) are continuing their clampdown on reformist activity in the aftermath of yesterday’s disturbances in the capital, Male’.

Estimate put at over 200 the people who have been arrested so far, with NSS troops reportedly breaking into houses and dragging residents from their homes. Two people have been taken to hospital with severe head injuries, after being beaten by NSS officers during their arrest. Staff at Indhira Ghandi Memorial Hospital in Male’ refused to comment about the number of people brought in after yesterday’s protests or their condition. The government put the number of arrests at 90.

5 Members of Parliament are amongst those who have been arrested. All five - Ibrahim Ismail, Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Gasim Ibrahim, Mohamed Shihab and Dr. Mohamed Munnawwar - were also among the 23 MPs who walked out of the first session of the Citizen’s Special Majlis in July. Dr. Munnawwar was reportedly beaten during his arrest.

There have been disturbances outside the capital also. In Hithadhoo, in the southern atoll of Addu, it has been reported that people are protesting in the streets and that the court house has been burnt down. In Thinadhoo, in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll, and Feydhoo, in Seemu Atoll, the NSS has been dispatched to quell disturbances in the streets.

Reporters from within government suggest President Gayyoom will try to link yesterday’s protests to a terrorist plot by Pakistani students, in order to court international sympathy. A speech by Abbas Ibrahim is expected shortly.

As many as 10,000 protesters gathered on the streets of Male on Thursday night and remained until the morning when the NSS dispersed the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas. A State of Emergency has been declared by President Gayyoom and a curfew is in place.

Contact details:

Friends of Maldives is a group concerned with promoting cultural links with Maldives and addressing Human Rights Abuses in the country.

Friends of Maldives - 64 Milford Street,

Salisbury,

SP1 2BP.

Tel. 01722 504 330

Email: admin@friendsofmaldives.co.uk

Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman in the UK - Mohamed Nasheed - 00 44 7833 127 529

Maldivian Democratic Party HQ in Sri Lanka - 00 94 11288 3448

Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman in Sri Lanka - Mohamed Latheef - 0094 777 281 918

Maldivian political commentators: Ahmed Naseer - Mob: 0044 7981 148479

Ahmed Shafeeq Ibrahim Moosa - Mob (UK): 07932939103

Ahmed Nazim Sattar - 00 960 788 719