Lance Corporal Athulabu Mohamed, the In-Charge of the Alifushi Police Station, was discharged from his job amid allegations of sexual misconduct inside the Police station with a girl from the island.
A Police Media Official said that Police did not wish to issue an official statement on the incident, but an official from the Alifushi Police Station confirmed that Athulabu had been dismissed. Further, a notice posted on the wall of the Police HQ at Shaheed Hussain Adam Building said that enough evidence had been presented against Athulab for a conviction and that Athulabu Mohamed had been discharged from his job as of 6 September, 2009. The notice said that Athulabu had faced charges of taking a girl inside the Police Station on 2 August, 2008 and engaging in appropriate behavior. A photo of Athulabu was also posted on the notice which was signed by a senior Police official.
A resident of Alifushi said that the Police In-Charge had taken the girl inside the Police Station around 10:30pm that night. The man further said that the girl had been brought out when residents had thronged the Police Station and begun shouting around 3:00am the next morning.
Police had earlier issued a statement saying that they were investigating an incident at the Alifushi Police Station. Police said that In-Charge of the Police Station had been talking to the girl inside the Police Station and that just as the girl had gotten up to go out some residents of the island had barged in and kept the girl from leaving. After that they had created a commotion in the Police Station and summoned more people to the area, Police had said earlier.
October 13, 2009
Alifushi Police Station In-Charge sacked for sexual misconduct
Maafushi Jail inmates tear down walls separating sections in U2 block
The inmates in the Unit Two (U2) block of Maafushi Jail brought down the walls separating the sections on Sunday, converting the entire block into one big cell. The U2 block is the high-security wing of the jail where the most dangerous prisoners are kept. A senior official from the Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation also confirmed the reports on Sunday.
An officer from the jail’s ESG Group said on Sunday that inmates of the U2 block, housing around 70 prisoners, had destroyed the walls separating the three sections of the cells and taken control of the block. He said that the incident had occurred in the morning when some of the U2 inmates were taken outside to the yard.
“Every day some of the inmates would be given access to the yard for around two hours,” the officer said on Sunday. “When they were released to the yard today, then climbed on top of the U2 block.”
He said that the inmates had then broken the locks on the other cells and released the prisoners there. After breaking the locks the inmates had proceeded to break down the walls. “Even now some of them are breaking down the doors,” he said.
Another officer said yesterday that despite the events there had no confrontations at the jail. He further said that senior officials had issued orders to be ready and were taking the necessary steps to control the situation.
Lale International School to conduct summer camp during year-end holidays
The Lale International School in Hulhumalé has revealed plans to open a summer camp to coincide with the year-end holidays. Students from all the schools in Malé can take part in the summer camp, according to Lale School.
Officials from the School said that the summer camp will be aimed towards hosting sports activities and teaching English language for the students. The month-long camp will be divided into two sessions and a fee of Rf1008 is required to participate. Those who enroll before 15th October will be given a 30 percent discount, according to Lale International School. Application forms are now available from the School.
School officials said that even though parents should bear the cost of the ferry ticket to Hulhumalé, the School will provide all the essential books and other requirements. Students from Grade 1 and above are eligible to participate in the summer camp.
Inmates set fire to Maafushi Jail
Inmates at Maafushi Jail set fire to some of the cells and caused severe damage to Jail property on Monday.
An officer of the Emergency Support Group (ESG) said that after the incidents of the previous day, all the inmates been kept locked in their cells when they had started breaking out of their cells around 2:30pm on Monday. The inmates had proceeded to set fire to their cells, break everything and ‘create havoc in the jail’, the officer said.
By 4:00pm the inmates had set fire to the high security ward of the prison, Block U2, Unit 4 and 6, and the so-called ‘pentagon’, and continued destroy all accessible areas of the cells. Two staff members of the jail were also seriously injured when inmates beat them up. Some of the inmates were also injured; one suffering a broken arm while another had broken his leg.
The ESG officer said that no one was able to get near the area and that if anyone other than an inmate tried to enter the area the prisoners would attack them with makeshift weapons.
“They were saying that they would destroy Maafushi Prison so that no one could ever be kept prisoner in there,” the officer said.
Another officer said that when the inmates had started setting fire to the cells, all the officers had gathered near the main gate. He said that although the inmates had tried to escape out of the prison and into the island, they had not been able to do so.
“They tried to break out twice,” the officer said. “But they weren’t successful.”
On Sunday, the inmates in the Unit Two (U2) block of Maafushi Jail brought down the walls separating the sections, converting the entire block into one big cell. The U2 block is the high-security wing of the jail where the most dangerous prisoners are kept.
An officer from the jail’s ESG Group said on Sunday that inmates of the U2 block, housing around 70 prisoners, had destroyed the walls separating the three sections of the cells and taken control of the block. He said that the incident had occurred in the morning when some of the U2 inmates were taken outside to the yard.
“Every day some of the inmates would be given access to the yard for around two hours,” the officer said on Sunday. “When they were released to the yard today, then climbed on top of the U2 block.”
He said that the inmates had then broken the locks on the other cells and released the prisoners there. After breaking the locks the inmates had proceeded to break down the walls.
Insurance policy for underwater cabinet meeting presented to Cabinet Secretary
The insurance policy for the scheduled underwater cabinet meeting was presented to Cabinet Secretary Abdulla Saeed at a function held on Monday afternoon at the President’s Office. The insurance policy was presented by Abdul Waahid Thaufeeq, Managing Director of Allied Insurance.
The underwater cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held on 17 October. Speaking at the function, the Minister of Housing, Transport and Environment Mohamed Aslam said the main purpose of the underwater cabinet meeting was to give a very clear message to the world. He noted the efforts by President Mohamed Nasheed and the Government to highlight the dangers that the people of Maldives would face if the world fails to combat climate change. He also said that the Maldives was a frontline state in this new threat for existence.
Stating that the Maldives’ voice in this issue has grown stronger, Minister Aslam said that the world has now begun listening to the Maldives with regards to the threats posed by climate change.
At the function, Abdul Waahid Thaufeeq spoke on behalf of Allied Insurance, while Ahmed Risheen spoke on behalf of Divers Association.
Police arrest several during protest against Bill on former presidents
Police on Monday arrested around 15 people in an effort to break-up the demonstration held near the People’s Majlis building to protest against the bill on providing benefits and security to former presidents.
Supporters of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) began gathering near the Parliament building around 12:30pm, around half an hour after the Majlis sitting went to recess, and clashed with officers of the Maldives Police Service when they tried to disperse the crowd. The situation turned violent and several people from both sides were injured during the confrontation. Protesters threw bricks, bottles and whatever else they could get their hands on at the Police. It took Police in riot gear and armed with truncheons and shields to finally disperse the crowd from the area. Tear gas was also used by the Police.
The demonstration turned violent when some of the protesters charged the Police barricades in an effort to enter the Majlis building while MPs were voting on article 9 of the amendments to the Bill on protection and privileges for former presidents. Two men dashed through the crowd and managed to vault over the Majlis wall before being blocked by Police. One of the two men suffered severe injuries to his head when he cracked it against the Majlis wall during the scuffle with Police. Both men were taken into Police custody.
After the incident with the two men, Police began in earnest to disperse the crowd from the area. When they gave orders to leave the area, the protesters retaliated by throwing bricks and empty bottles at them. Police handcuffed and detained several people who refused to obey orders or tried to obstruct the officers from doing their duty as they continued to push the crowd back from the Parliament building area.
Around 8:15am, long before protesters had arrived near the People’s Majlis building, Police had cordoned off access to the area to vehicles. Police also questioned anyone who wanted to enter the area on foot. Despite the precautions, the protestors managed to reach the main gate of the People’s Majlis building. The officers did not appear to try too hard to keep the protestors away from the area.
The protesters called for the Bill on protection and privileges for former presidents to be removed from the Majlis floor, Article 9 to be cancelled, and the arrest of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
October 5, 2009
Vice President officiates prize giving ceremony of MNBC Children’s Quran Competition
Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed on Sunday evening officiated the prize giving ceremony of Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC) Children’s Quran Competition.
Speaking at the ceremony broadcast on Voice of Maldives and Television Maldives, Dr Waheed called on parents and guardians to help children memorise the Quran. He said reading the translation of the Quran to children, in a manner that they could comprehend was also very important.
Highlighting the growing importance given in the country for Quran recitation and memorization, the Vice President noted that there are many children and adults among us who can skilfully recite the Holy Quran. Noting that the role of teachers in this regard was also very important, Dr Waheed expressed his sincere appreciation to teachers.
He said that eloquent recitation of Holy Quran was a skill that could be achieved if they are trained at a young age. Emphasising that the art of reciting the Holy Quran was developing promisingly in the Maldives, Dr Waheed said it was important to create an interest among small children to recite the Quran. He also said that children should be encouraged for their efforts.
He said that listening to an accomplished recital of the Holy Quran would bring both delight and inspiration to the listener. He also added that eloquent recitation of the Holy Quran was spiritually uplifting.
At the function, Dr Waheed presented prizes to children who achieved the first place in various categories in the competition.
Umar Naseer summoned to Police station on charges of assault
The President of the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP), Umar Naseer, was summoned to the Police Station on Saturday night after charges were filed that he had assaulted a man during the protest held in front of the President’s Office last Thursday.
A Police Media Official said that that Umar Naseer, who had worked closely with the largest opposition party – the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) – during the protest, had been summoned to answer some questions regarding the assault charge he was facing. The Media Official refused to comment further on the issue.
On Sunday, Umar told the media that he had been summoned to the Police Station around 10:15pm on Saturday and that he had been released, after his statement was taken, around 11:00pm. Umar denied the charges filed against him, saying that he had not assaulted anyone during the protest and that neither had any MDP member assaulted any opposition party members.
“The charge against me, backed by two eyewitness accounts, was that I had assaulted a high ranking MDP activist,” Umar said. “I told the Police last night that I had not assaulted anyone. The area was under surveillance by security cameras, so if I had assaulted anyone it would on the footage. I asked them to check the tapes to see if I had done something like that. I told them I was ready to take a polygraph test even, since apparently the Police are equipped with a polygraph machine. I urged them to do that even so that I could prove my innocence.”
Tourist at Reethi Beach Resort distributed Christian literature
A tourist who visited the Reethi Beach Resort at Baa atoll Fonimagoodhoo distributed Christian literature while at the resort, the Islamic Ministry has said, adding that they had managed to recover some of the literature.
The Assistant Director of the Ministry, Ahmadulla Jameel, said on Sunday that they had received information on Friday night that Christian literature was being distributed by a tourist at the resort and had immediately notified the Police about it. Ahmadulla said that Police had recovered the distributed literature and that he had received information that the tourist had also been taken into custody. Police, however, has refused to comment on the incident.
A senior official at Reethi Beach Resort said that Police had arrived and confiscated five of the books.
“According to the information we have, the tourist had distributed most of the literature to expatriate staff here,” the official said. “However, some of the books were found in the possession of locals also.” He added that the literature had not been distributed with the knowledge of the resort’s management. According to the resort, the tourist from Switzerland had now returned to his country.
A statement on the website of Adhaalath Party states that some employees at Reethi Beach Resort had contacted the Party and given then the information about the tourist’s activities. The statement further said that such incidences should not be carried out in Maldives and cautioned all Maldivians to be aware of such things.
“A Laptop for Every Teacher” programme launched
A programmed called “A Laptop for Every Teacher” was launched by President Mohamed Nasheed on Saturday night, aimed at granting loans to 500 teachers to purchase laptops this year.
The programmed was launched at the function held at Hiriyaa School to commemorate Teachers’ Day. Speaking at the function, the Deputy Minister of Education Dr Abdulla Nazeer said that the budget for the programme would be allocated from the Rf5 million educational fund. He further said that while the application forms would be available from Saturday onwards and that they expected more than 500 teachers to apply for it.
Dr Nazeer further said that the programme would be monitored by the Finance Ministry and had now been handed over to the Bank of Maldives.
The Residence Representative of UNICEF, Mr Mansoor Ali, also spoke at the ceremony, pledging UNICEF’s support to the programme. He however did not say if the support would be in the form of financial aid or some other kind.
Although not much detail about the programme was given at the function, Dr Nazeer told Haveeru in an interview that the Rf5 million from the educational fund and the funds allocated for the purchase of laptops for teachers would be deposited in Bank of Maldives accounts. He also said that although no interest would be charged for the loans, since the Bank would be responsible for all the administrative work regarding the loans, the bank would charge an administrative fee from the teachers. The loans have to be repaid within two years time, he further said.
“The loan payment would be deducted from the teachers’ salaries,” he said.
Dr Nazeer said that the requirement for being eligible for the loan was to be a teacher who was under employment with the Education Ministry. He further said that since only 500 teachers would be selected for the loan this year, a selection process using specific guidelines would be used to select the teachers.
“The guidelines would include the length of service, credentials, number of classes taught, and subjects taught,” he said.
