Protesters call to prosecute former President Maumoon

miadhu
A group of people have held a peaceful protest against the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. They have called on the Government to bring Maumoon to justice and punish him for the crimes he and members of his government has committed during the 30 year rule of the former president. Protesters expressed their dissatisfaction to President Mohamed Nasheed for his decision to treat the former leader with dignity and respect. Referring to the President's statement to exercise calm and humility in time of victory, they were chanting they have waited enough in humility and they cannot do so any longer.

Protesters were also calling to undertake full investigations on the crimes , injustices and corruption perpetrated by the former government and called to bring former Police Commissioner Adam Zahir before justice and deal with him according to the law of the country. Most of them carried placards expressing their concerns.

There were about 200 people in the crowd and some of them are known to be members of the ruling MDP. But no key members of the party were seen in the crowd. They said their protest was organised by themselves to express their concerns and it does not represent any political party pr group.

There were rumours in Male during the past 24hours that some people were organising to to stage a protest against Maumoon who is presently in Hong Kong to attend a Climate Conference organised by President Bill Clinton Foundation. Former President Maumoon has repeatedly told media he will remain in the country and service to the people and would not live in any other country. But if there is a hostile movement building up to take him to the court, he might decide to leave the country to live in a foreign country in exile like his predecessor former president Ibrahim Nasir who died in Singapore after spending 30 years in exile to escape jail sentences passed on him in his absence. Nasir was given a hero's welcome when his body was brought to Male' and accorded a full state funeral.

Former President Maumoon who lost power after 30 years rule after President Nasheed defeated him in the historic first multi-party presidential election on 28 October. Maumoon has repeatedly denied allegations of fraud and other crimes during his presidency.