Malé, Maldives – Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has said that encouraging people to set fire to the Indian High Commission in Maldives in retaliation for the 2012 fall of former President Mohammed Nasheed’s government is an act of terrorism and it is unacceptable.
Abbas Adhil Riza, who has held senior government positions in the past, tweeted questioning the possibility of starting taking revenge for the arson attack in Addu City in 2012 from the Indian High Commission in Maldives.
Condemning the tweets by Abbas, who also held a senior position in former President Abdullah Yameen’s government, Minister Mariya added that such a tweet calling for arson was an act of terrorism.
Mariya said the government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will maintain zero tolerance for terrorism. She also said that India is a close partner in the development and it is unacceptable to try to hinder the development of the people.
Police said no case has been logged against the tweet. However, the matter has come to the attention of the police and they are investigating the matter, police said.
Major parties of Maldives including MDP, MRM and JP have also condemned the tweet by Abbas.
Abbas was the spokesman for former President Dr. Mohammed Waheed Hassan. Abbas was also the State Minister of Finance during the Waheed’s government. He also served as the Commissioner General of Customs and the Government Trade Representative in Malaysia during the administration of President Abdullah Yameen.
