mdpintrouble
News Flash
MDP face backlash after accusing President of murder
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male', Maldives 23rd February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The MDP has this morning sensationally accused President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of the Maldives of committing murder. The crime of murder was among a litany of accusations against Gayoom the MDP listed in a press release on its website published as justification of the party’s boycott of this morning’s inauguration of the People’s Majilis.
The blatant claims, made without providing any evidence or justification, place the MDP and more particularly its senior personnel in very serious straits according to legal experts. It is highly likely that the MDP will be asked to justify their claims or issue a full and unqualified retraction.
Sources indicate that the Attorney General is already working on the issue. It is felt that the MDP has for a time now tried to flaunt the law but on this occasion, they may find that they have gone too far. “The party will probably try to say that no one person will can be held accountable for a statement issued by the whole party. But this will not cut it; [current party president Ibrahim Ismail] Ibra and [chairman Mohamed Nasheed] Annie are legally bound to shoulder the blame for crimes committed by or in the name of the MDP,” said a source.
Observers say the aims of the press release maybe two-fold: to invite pro-MDP mobs to violence on the streets as part of today’s ‘MDP demonstrations’ and at the same time, to provoke anti-MDP elements within society to react against these mobs. However, it does not diminish the criticism MDP MPs now face from the party’s own membership after they were promised that MPs would disrupt today’s meeting.
Many low-level members believe the MPs simply did not have the courage to keep their word. Of the 15 MPs controlled by the MDP, only one attended today’s ceremonies. The 35 other MPs who attended all represent the ruling DRP.
Among the other accusations levelled by the MDP against Gayoom are bribery and misappropriation of funds.
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