Minister of State for Housing, Transport and Environment, Mr. Aslam Shakir, was beaten up by rogue elements in the Maldives Police Service’s Star Force division last night, whilst he took part in a public demonstration outside Alivaage, the current residence of the ousted dictator. The crowd gathered near Alivaage to pressure the current government to prosecute the former dictator and his cronies in accordance with the law.
According to Mr. Shakir, he was exercising his constitutional right to freedom of assembly and expression. “I had every right to be there and join in with the crowd calling for ‘transitional’ justice. It was a peaceful demonstration but I was singled out by some rogue elements in the police. They pulled me away and tried to shove me on to the ground. As a result, I have bruises in my legs and body. I was manhandled by these elements despite the fact that our government is totally against such unlawful practices,” Aslam described his ordeal. “I have full confidence in the Police and I urge them to carry out a full investigation into this and other similar incidents that occurred recently. We all know who are organizing these rogue activities and trying to create civil unrest. After 30 years of dictatorship, one can’t expect institutions like the Police services to be cleaned up in just a few months. There are still agents of the former regime working in these institutions. We need to identify and deal with them swiftly in order that these institutions regain the full confidence of the public,” the minister added.
Mr. Aslam is now recovering from his ordeal but vows to fight for his rights. This act will not deter him from participating in such public activities in the future.
According to Mr. Shakir, he was exercising his constitutional right to freedom of assembly and expression. “I had every right to be there and join in with the crowd calling for ‘transitional’ justice. It was a peaceful demonstration but I was singled out by some rogue elements in the police. They pulled me away and tried to shove me on to the ground. As a result, I have bruises in my legs and body. I was manhandled by these elements despite the fact that our government is totally against such unlawful practices,” Aslam described his ordeal. “I have full confidence in the Police and I urge them to carry out a full investigation into this and other similar incidents that occurred recently. We all know who are organizing these rogue activities and trying to create civil unrest. After 30 years of dictatorship, one can’t expect institutions like the Police services to be cleaned up in just a few months. There are still agents of the former regime working in these institutions. We need to identify and deal with them swiftly in order that these institutions regain the full confidence of the public,” the minister added.
Mr. Aslam is now recovering from his ordeal but vows to fight for his rights. This act will not deter him from participating in such public activities in the future.
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