Won’t stand by as MPs are maliciously persecuted: Speaker Nasheed

Former President of Maldives and Current Speaker of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed | Photo: The Times of Addu

Malé, Maldives – Speaker of the Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on Sunday came to the defence of parliamentarians amid video leaks of pornographic nature.

I will not stand by as parliament members are maliciously persecuted using their private affairs.

Speaker Nasheed

Speaker Nasheed wrote a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police requesting to direct all investigations of parliamentarians through the parliament.

Alleged photographs of parliamentarian Hussain Shameem (Andhun Hussain) of South Henveyru constituency and MP Ahmed Saleem of Hoarafushi constituency have circulated on social media since Sunday.

While Police confirmed that the alleged photographs of MP Hussain have come to their attention, MP Saleem is not seen in any of the photographs and has denied all allegations.

Additionally, police on Friday seized the passport of Nasheed’s younger brother and defence lawyer Nazim Abdul Sattar amid investigations regarding a video portraying sexual intercourse between two men, one allegedly Sattar.

We [MDP government] could not fix the police. President [Ibrahim Mohamed Solih] has failed … [They] slaughtered my brother and I for the benefit of [the incumbent] government and some cabinet ministers.

Speaker Nasheed

Nasheed stated that he and his brother are being attacked and the Police will throw Nazim in a detention cell too. Nasheed further accused the President of appointing extremists who attack diplomats and act to destroy the nation to the cabinet and top government posts.

Same-sex sexual acts are prohibited under Sections 410, 411 and 412 of the Maldives Penal Code 2014.