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Mr. Nazim Sattar charged with treason

Dhivehi Observer - 3 June 2004

Mr. Nazim, who courageously gave an interview to the BBC World TV Asia Today program on 17^th October 2003 regarding the dictatorial regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has bee charged with treason under Article 8 : Unlawful Talk. However, the typical Gayyoom twist is apparent that Nazim is charged for passing pro-reform material of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of which he is a senior member of the General Council.

Nazim was labelled a traitor for speaking his mind against Gayyoom and making a statement about the unfair and restricted Presidential referendum on 2003, Nazim who worked for UNDP at the time of his arrest, stood little chance of renewing his contract with the organisation. This is a typical move of Gayyoom.

The following is a translation of the charge against Mr. Nazim.

Nature of Charge: Disobedience to Orders - Case no: 383/JC/2004

Charge: Treason: (Ahmed Nazim Abdul Sattar having photocopied written material called “Appeal” and “Newsletter” named after “the Maldivian Democratic Party” and having given these photocopied material to Ismail Zilah of H. Graphite and Ahmed Falah of M. Kudaveyomatheege for distribution among various people; and Ismail Zilah and Ahmed Falah having distributed these material; and since the material distributed with the participation of these three people contained untrue expressions that may cause civil strife between the Government elected by the People in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and the People and may endanger public safety; Ahmed Nazim Abdul Sattar, Ismail Zilah and Ahmed Falah is charged for Disobeying Orders under the Penal Code 88(a) with reference to Law 68/4 (republic) (Some General Laws) article 8 number 2.

Law 68/4 (Republic) Some General Laws - Dated: 11 November 1968

Article 8: Unlawful Talk

In expressing the views of people’s minds by speech or in writing, the following topics may not be discussed.

(1)      Those contrary to the principles of Islam
(2)      Those which may harm public safety
(3)      Those which may defame anyone.

Under the above law 68/4 (Republic) article 8 No. 2, Mr. Nazim is liable to be penalised for the following sentence of the penal code.

The Penal Cord of Maldives - No 88 (a) Failing to obey a legal or a shari’a command is a crime. The punishment for anyone who perpetrated this crime will be imprisonment or banishment or house arrest for a maximum of 6 months or a fine of a maximum of Rufiyaa 150/-.

Many will be dismayed to see that Gayyoom is showing no signs of respecting the rule of law in the country and continues to harass and apprehend anyone who opposed his GODLY status as the undisputed ruler of the 'greatest' Islamic Nation in the world.

Mr. Nazim’s friends and family and his supporters have assured that this case will not be unchallenged. His supporters in MDP and those abroad have already taken the issues to their respective members of the parliament to increase international pressure on Gayyoom.

DO says : Gayyoom should release Mr. Nazim, apologise and compensate him for the grievances Gayyoom's unlawful autocratic actions has caused to him. These, include the harassments and attempts by government media to vilify him and loosing his job at the UNDP office in Maldives.

It is also unforgivable to UNDP to sit by and watch as Gayyoom abuses the rights of Mr. Nazim. UNDP should take action to protect the rights of its employees if they are to be effective in helping Maldives develop.