Back to Press Release History

5th July 2006

FOM concerned over trumped up charges against pro-democracy campaigner Mohamed Ziyad (Ziyattey)

Friends of Maldives fears for the fate of popular pro-democracy campaigner Mohamed Ziyad (Ziyattey), arrested on the 17th of May 2006, after a week of popular protests in the capital Male'. He is currently held in Dhoonidoo detention centre in solitary confinement in poor conditions. His family reports he is suffering from breathing difficulties.

Ziyattey was first accused of smashing a window at Mercury Light Cafe, a popular meeting place among the pro-democracy reformists. His charges later changed to "inciting violence" during the 14 th of May demonstration and attacking a policeman. This is reminiscent of the arrest of Mohamed Nasheed chairperson of the MDP where he was initially detained for his own safety - and later charged with terrorism and sedition.

During his first court hearing on 27th June 2006, three police officers were introduced as witnesses. Their written statements accused Ziyattey of throwing a flag at a policeman and inciting the protestors to attack the police. One police officer retracted his statement in court, swearing on the Holy Quran that Ziyattey never committed such acts, and stated that Mohamed Ziyad actually told the protestors to keep their distance from the police line.

FOM welcomes such brave action from the police officer Ali Shaahid, and hopes that the judge will show independence and impartiality in releasing Ziyattey.

This case is rapidly becoming another mockery of the Maldives Justice System and affirms once again that arbitrary arrest and trumped-up charges against pro-democracy activists are another dismal failure of the Presidential 'Roadmap to Reform' and the Justice system in the Maldives.

FOM calls on the Maldives Government to release Mohamed Ziyad (Ziyattey) and all political prisoners held in detention in Dhoonidhoo and Maafushi prison, and to revoke the summary justice applied to those connected to the popular demonstrations.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Friends of Maldives

64 Milford Street
Salisbury
SP1 2BP
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1722 504330
E: enquiries@friendsofmaldives.org
W: www.friendsofmaldives.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

Friends of Maldives – www.friendsofmaldives.org

Friends of Maldives (FOM) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in the Maldives. Based in the UK and established in 2003. FOM focuses its activities on providing support and publicity to prisoners of conscience and good governance in the Maldives.