Opposition accuses India over yoga day riot charges
The PPM-PNC coalition condemned the charges, saying that it was unacceptable that the government was charging people who were not involved.
By
Azuhaar Abdul Azeez
Opposition coalition on Monday accused the government of puppeteering for India to mislead the international community, following the charges filed against those accused of terrorism in connection with the riot at the international yoga day event held in June.
Prosecutor General's (PG) office had filed charges with the Criminal Court on Monday against 18 individuals accused of terrorism in connection with the riot.
The most high-profile suspects in the case are:
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Former Hoarafushi MP and an opposition leader, Mohamed Ismail is being charged with complicity in an act of terrorism and obstruction of justice.
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Religious scholars Fazloon Mohamed and Adam Nishan have been charged with inciting an act of terrorism.
The PPM-PNC coalition condemned the charges in a statement, saying that it was unacceptable that the government was charging people who were not involved in the event, without adequate investigations.
The opposition claimed that Mohamed Ismail, Chair of PPM's Political Activities Committee, did not participate in the unrest. Ismail was “not present at any of the activities preceding the event, the unrest or any of the events afterwards," the opposition said, calling on the state to withdraw the charges.
“It is with certitude that we call out on the blatant attempt by the Indian government to interfere with the domestic affairs of the Maldives through interference into our domestic politics," the statement read.
“Videographic evidence from the day of the unrest shows that it was endorsed by the state as the Police readily allowed the demonstrators to enter the national stadium and disrupt the yoga day events."
The opposition also accused the statement published by the PG’s office detailing the charges, saying that it is a first in Maldivian history, and that the statement was issued in English because the government was catering to the demands of the Indian government.
“It is our firm belief that the abrupt decision to raise charges against Mohamed Ismail coinciding with the visit of the Indian Foreign Secretary and a concession loan of $100 million is testament of the Indian government’s blatant interference and influence over our domestic affairs and the democratic process itself," the statement read.
If found guilty, some of those charged with terrorism could face up to 10 or 15 years in prison.
Case summary:
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The protesters attempted storming into the stadium to stop the yoga day event chanting takbirs aloud.
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Police tried to stop them by putting up barricades, but the protesters broke through police lines forcibly.
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The protesters also broke through the gate of the national stadium and charged towards the people inside, threatening them with violence and forcibly making them leave.
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Rioters storming the yoga event, where foreign ambassadors and diplomats were in attendance, continued their uproar for about 40 minutes.
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They were expelled from the scene by police using tear gas and force.
