Wednesday
17th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
President Yameen. Photo: TMJ
President Abdullah Yameen has expressed his support for upholding capital punishment in the country, stating that he ‘passionately’ believes in upholding capital punishment as prescribed in Islam.
Responding a query of a journalist, the former President said capital punishment was on the agenda during his administration. Major crimes, he said, required apt punishment and capital punishment was no exception to the rule.
He added that his views had not changed. In the event the administration changes, and an individual has been found guilty of murder beyond a shadow of doubt, he would move to implement capital punishment.
“I took the matter to my cabinet then, personally with conviction. with strong conviction I believe it should be implemented,”President Abdullah Yameen
His cabinet, he added, had completed all preparations to implement the verdict, including making a chamber in Dhoonidho island.
President Yameen said that in spite of this, the judiciary had failed to bring a capital punishment case forward, a case that had been proven without a shadow of doubt. Therefore, he argued, it cannot be said he had failed to uphold his vow.
The cabinet, he went on to add, had prepared guidelines. Religion and law demands that families must be consulted and counseling given to all parties, he said. After completing all these processes, and if the families unanimously are still demanding to uphold capital punishment, then it must be carried out, he said.
“Even if a person crosses limits, we’re talking about taking another life, isn’t it? It’s not a small thing,”President Abdullah Yameen
President Yameen said that implementing such a weighty decision was not an easy feat, but something that is demanded of any ruler and as such, one cannot shirk that burden.
He went on to note that most Maldivians had no faith in the judicial justice system especially with such cases. The legal system, he said, begins with a proper investigation and that Judges ruled based on the case presented to them. Whether the investigation and case presented is strong or weak, he said that Judges cannot base a ruling on aspects other than the facts they are presented with.
While he admits that capital punishment must be implemented, President Yameen said he had no faith on criminal investigations conducted. If the nation is to implement capital punishment, then the entire judicial justice system must be overhauled, he added.
The opposition leader said that during his administration no case had undergone all 11 procedures set by the Cabinet. These 11 procedures must be completed prior to authorities implementing capital punishment.
He also rebuked the attempts of one former Minister attempting to take credit for introducing capital punishment to the legal system. He said the undertaking was the effort of the whole Cabinet.
He went on to note that most Maldivians had no faith in the judicial justice system especially with such cases. The legal system, he said, begins with a proper investigation and that Judges ruled based on the case presented to them. Whether the investigation and case presented is strong or weak, he said that Judges cannot base a ruling on aspects other than the facts they are presented with.
While he admits that capital punishment must be implemented, President Yameen said he had no faith on criminal investigations conducted. If the nation is to implement capital punishment, then the entire judicial justice system must be overhauled, he added.
The opposition leader said that during his administration no case had undergone all 11 procedures set by the Cabinet. These 11 procedures must be completed prior to authorities implementing capital punishment.
He also rebuked the attempts of one former Minister attempting to take credit for introducing capital punishment to the legal system. He said the undertaking was the effort of the whole Cabinet.