:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

DO EXCLUSIVE
Lawsuit filed against Speaker of the Parliament for High Treason

Mariyam Mohamed, Male’, 20^th July 2004

The solidarity of the Maldivian people in pursuit of true political reform is unquestionable. Thousands of Maldivians gathered in support of their parliament members who were protesting against the illicit conduct of the Speaker of the Majlis. The public dispersed as soon as their Heroes told them to go. What we want is justice and the rule of law.

Honourable Members of the Peoples' Special Majlis, Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim, Dr. Hussain Rasheed, Ibrahi Shareef, Ahmed Shafeeg going to the Criminal Court in Justice Building, Male'

Honourable Members of the Peoples' Special Majlis at the counter of the Criminal Court submitting the lawsuit

Honourable Members of the Peoples' Special Majlis meeting with their Lawyer Husnu Suood after filing the lawsuit

Honourable Members of the Peoples' Special Majlis yesterday staged a historic protest to uphold the constitution of the Maldives

Thousands of Maldivians gathered near the Presidents' Office and the Parliament House in support of the Members who staged the protest. As always Gayyoom showed his military muscle.

Hon. Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim, People’s Special Majlis Member for Ari Atoll South, filed a lawsuit for high treason against the incumbent Speaker of the Parliament of the Maldives, Abdulla Hameed today.

The charge is for High treason Under Article 12 (1) of the Constitution of the Maldives “Any person who, by the threat or use of force or in violation of the Constitution, abrogates or attempts to abrogate the Constitution or attempts to undermine the Constitution or conspires to commit any of the said acts shall be guilty of high treason”.

The lawsuit is filed for the attempt by Abdullah Hameed in yesterdays’ Parliamentary assembly to undermine the Constitution by rejecting to allow a secret ballot in electing a Speaker for the Special Majlis as stated in Article 33 of the Constitution, which states “Voting in elections and public referendums stipulated in the Constitution and the law shall be by secret ballot”.

The case was filed at the Criminal Court of the Maldives today. Several Members of the Parliament walked out of the Parliament meeting yesterday and staged a protest because they felt that the Speaker of the Majlis (as well as Atoll Minister and more importantly the younger brother of President Gayyoom) had no regard for the constitution when he said that it is the tradition to elect the Speaker by show of hands. He was advised by many members that this was unconstitutional yet he paid no attention to them. Furthermore, he rushed off to proceed with the election as soon as two names were nominated, whilst several members were waiting to nominate others as well as debate some issues.

This case will go to show how far Gayyoom is willing to compromise on his constitutional duties and uphold the rule of law in the Maldives in the face of growing allegation of undermining the very constitution which gives him his presidential powers.

It was reported that Mr. Hameed left Maldives last night to Singapore. Unconfirmed reports say that he was outraged by his Brother President Gayyooms’ decision to postpone the parliamentary session and meeting with the protesting Parliament Members yesterday. The crowd that gathered near the Parliament House and the Presidents’ Office during the historic stand-off was calling for Hameeds’ immediate resignation.

This will be a landmark case. A full translation of the case filed will be published shortly.