Thursday
25th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
President Solih and Imran. Photo: Afrah.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ordered Members of Parliament from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to stall work on the no-confidence motion on Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.
A no confidence motion on the Speaker started after he made allegations of an extramarital affair on the President. He said he had compromising pictures of the President with his alleged mistress.
Dhiyares and TMJ understands that President Solih has instructed MDP MPs to stall the no confidence motion. This came after President Solih and Speaker Nasheed had a series of phone calls to discuss the issue.
MPs from the Solih faction had launched a no-confidence motion soon after Nasheed’s allegations surfaced. They had planned to file the motion this week, having successfully gained signatures on the motion.
It is unknown why the President had ordered the stay. But it is speculated that Speaker Nasheed would leak the compromising pictures.
The allegations came after Nasheed’s brother, Nazim Sattar was arrested on sodomy charges. He is suspected of having engaged in sex with a Bangladeshi national, MD Alamgir. Alamgir is now in Police custody. Based on the information shared prior to his arrest, Alamgir was not of legal age and therefore, it is believed that he was trafficked.
Nazim Sattar is presently housed in Dhoonidhoo jail.
The opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) had called on authorities to investigate the extramarital affair claims on the President.
Under Islamic shariah, if a person claims that an individual had engaged in an extramarital affair or premarital sex, then the accuser must bring four witnesses to testify. If the accuser fails to prove the claims, then he will be prosecuted for making a false claim.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) is yet to issue a statement on the situation, in spite of public calls to investigate them.