housearrestluxury
Chairman pleads to be sent to jail
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 29th January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Maldivian Democratic Party Chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Annie) has protested that he prefers to spend the duration of his trial in jail rather than under house arrest. Annie was in court today for the hearing on extension of his detention. He is on trial for two counts of sedition and terrorism regarding his involvement in the violent unrest of August 2005.
The image of himself Annie wants to portray is one of a 'victimised martyr for the cause of freedom'. However, spending the length of his trial at his plush multi-story home is seriously undermining this image both locally and abroad.
A pattern of activity can be identified both before and after August 12th 2005 where Annie has tried to entice the authorities to take him into custody. These include disturbing public peace on the street and inside public offices and the Police Headquarters.
After his arrest, each of his court appearances has been characterised by antics which have included swearing at and mocking the judge. Perhaps driven by the knowledge that the weight of evidence against him makes a valid defence near impossible, he has resorted to attempting to bring the legality of the court into question. At the latest session of his trial last Wednesday, the judge could easily have held Annie in contempt of his court, such was his shouting and speaking out of turn.
All this points to a falling facade of 'hero of the people'. By demanding to be sent to Dhoonidhoo Remand Centre, he betrayed the anxiety he feels as he is becoming increasingly marginalised. International observers have taken the fact that he is only under house arrest as a definite sign of the government's sincerity about political reform and the government's goodwill towards the MDP.
As a result, the MDP's refusal to accept President Gayoom's invitation over two months ago, for all party talks, is seen by observers as evidence of the MDP's intransigence and stubbornness. Much of the blame for stalling the talks now lies squarely at the MDP's feet.
The failed demonstration of January 24th has left the MDP with little option but to claim legitimacy by wheedling credit in international eyes as the party has lost face with the Maldivian public. In this respect, the party leadership has redoubled its efforts by increasing contact with foreign embassies and diplomats.
However, the MDP's approaches have been summarily rejected by most including the embassies of the SAARC countries, some going so far as to brand the MDP 'a bunch of liars.' Even more pointedly, international organisations such as Amnesty International and PEN have distanced themselves from Annie since his transfer to house arrest.
It is therefore obvious that Annie would prefer to be under supervised detention rather than be seen living it up in the comfort of home - all the lavish extravagance the money of a millionaire father-in-law can buy - a far cry from the life of the common Maldivian for whose rights he is supposed to be 'suffering.'
Known universally as a militant activist with no respect for democratic processes and little political skill or nous, the MDP's current shadow cabinet would also like to see him out of the scene.
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