Crisis Situation in the Maldives, India expresses concern

Expressing concern on deepening political crisis in its neighbor Maldives, Indian government has expressed its concerns.  In a statement issued today, Indian government said that Since the beginning of the political crisis in the Maldives, India has repeatedly urged the Government of the Maldives to allow all institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Parliament, to function in a free and independent manner, and to permit genuine political dialogue between all political parties. This has also been the demand of the international community at large.

It is, therefore, with deep dismay that we learned that the former President of the Maldives as well as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are being sentenced to long prison terms without fair trial. This casts doubt on the commitment of the Government of the Maldives to uphold the rule of law and will also call into question the credibility of the entire process of Presidential elections in September this year.

India believes that a democratic, stable and prosperous Maldives is in the interests of all its neighbours and friends in the Indian Ocean. It reiterates its advice to the Government of the Maldives to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by immediately releasing political prisoners including former President Gayoom and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and creating the necessary.

Statement from Maldives

In a response to Indian Concerns, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Government of Maldives has issued a statement saying that The Government of Maldives takes note of the Press Release on the Political Situation in the Maldives, issued by the Government of India on 14 June 2018.

The Government of Maldives wishes to highlight that on 13 June 2018, the Criminal Court sentenced former President Uz. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Chief Justice Uz. Abdulla Saeed as per national laws, regulations and procedures governing the criminal justice system in the Maldives.

The Government of Maldives reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law and reassures that all criminal proceedings are carried out in compliance with the relevant laws and the Constitution of the Maldives.

How ever the situation in Maldives remained tense and India is closely watching its developments.