Remembering slain MP Afrasheem, pres recalls past 'terror'
The president said that when Afrasheem was assassinated on October 2, 2012, it was a time of extreme violence in Maldives.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who was on a visit to R. Ungoofaru as part of his campaign for the Saturday’s presidential election, recalled the brutal murder of former Ungoofaru MP Dr Afrasheem Ali, on Tuesday.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Ungoofaaru, President Solih said that when he speaks in the island, he should remember Afrasheem's assassination.
The president said that when Afrasheem was assassinated on October 2, 2012, it was a time of extreme violence in Maldives.
"We should not forget the extent of the violence. Whether it was a religious scholar, a political leader or a journalist, they faced fear and insecurity then," he said.
The president described the time as terror-filled days when Raajje TV was set on fire and political leaders were being arrested.
“After seven years of such hardship, in 2018 we were able to come out of it,” he said.
The president said religious scholars have been given the opportunity to speak out and freedom of the press has been facilitated now.
"Political leaders have the opportunity to speak out. There is no discrimination in conducting competitive political activities today. Everyone has equal opportunity," he said.
The president added:
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He has visited all the islands in the north
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Every island shows that the people want to move forward with development
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The people do not want to go back into violence and fear
