Resignation-Under-Duress

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President Nasheed had planned to return back to Muleeaage when the military had taken the necessary action. However, after arriving at the Military Headquarters, and as the situation in the organization gradually became apparent, he was compelled to believe that the necessary action would not be taken against the mutinying policemen without his presence. It was upon this conclusion that President Nasheed decided to stay at the MNDF Headquarters until a solution was reached. Police attack President Nasheed’s supporters, chase them from the Republic Square, and destroy MDP Haruge. On the morning of 7 February 2012, with the police mutinying at the Republic Square in Male’, crowds began to gather on the site. Among them were members of opposition parties and those of MDP as well. Present also were MDP MPs who were there on President Nasheed’s request. At the MNDF headquarters overlooking the square, President Nasheed was observing the actions of the mutinying policemen and the crowd. Around 6:30am, there seemed to be no discord between the parties gathered there. However, not long afterwards, the mutinying policemen recited their pledge and then rushed towards the MDP members in the crowd, and began beating them with batons and �ists. President Nasheed clearly witnessed the injuries being in�licted. Those who were attacked included Members of Parliament, leading members of the Party, and close relatives of the President himself. Seeing the extent of brutality, president was uncertain whether they would be able escape with their lives intact. When later on in the day, he made the decision to resign under duress, the President was still unaware of the fate of some of those injured MDP members, whether they were alive or dead. In addition to what he saw himself, the President also continued to receive news that the Deputy to the Home Minister, Mohamed Mahir Easa, and senior Police Of�icers loyal to the Government were being brutalized by policemen. When the President witnessed members of his party being injured at the hands of mutinying police, he sent out soldiers from MNDF to curb this. He �irmly ordered them to end the ruthless violence being carried out by rebel policemen towards citizens of the country. As President of the country, he did not wish to see such inhumane actions being perpetrated upon the people. However, the President did not see a similar urge being demonstrated by some of the senior MNDF of�icers. The President was convinced, based on the violent actions of the mutineers downstairs, that at that juncture, they would not hesitate to attack him, or anyone loyal to MDP or the ruling government. Further proof of this is based on the fact that till today, no action had been taken by the Police or MNDF against the mutinying policemen who had destroyed the MDP Haruge (rallying point of Party members) the night before, and caused grave injuries to party members present there. Also, inside the MNDF headquarters, he continued to witness that though the senior MNDF Of�icers believed that the actions of the mutinying police were against the law, they did not seem to want to take any action in order to disperse the mutineers from the Republic Square. This was something that caused the President deep shock and grave concern. On the night of 6 February 2012, mutinying policemen had attacked the MDP Haruge and violently attacked and injured MDP members including the State Minister for Home Affairs, Mohamed Naeem (Monaza Naeem). Furthermore, President Nasheed received the news that again on 7 February, both rebel police and soldiers entered the MDP Haruge, destroyed the entire property, and forcefully dispersed MDP members who were there. By then, the President clearly understood and was convinced that it was a dark and dangerous moment in time for any MDP member and any citizen who was loyal to the Government. 2
Vandalizing and hijacking of state institutions by the Police While President Nasheed was at the MNDF Headquarters, mutinying policemen and soldiers were entering and destroying properties of state institutions. The President received reports that employees at these institutions were being subject to various attacks and injuries. Amongst these state institutions included the ‘Second Chance’ Of�ice, Shaheed Hussain Adam Building (Police Headquarters), and Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC). In addition to causing damage and vandalism to these properties and assaulting their employees, mutinying police and defense forces also took possession over these institutions. Furthermore, news that the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Airports Immigration had been similarly taken over by the rebellious forces also caused the President great concern. However, due to his con�ined location and circumstances the President was subject to at the time, he was unable to take any action regarding these matters. The broken windows at the Police Headquarters 3
Page 1 and 2: Resignation Under Duress The Govern
Page 3 and 4: Contents 1 President Nasheed’s Te
Page 5: President Nasheed’s Term After co
Page 9 and 10: confronting him inside the MNDF Hea
Page 11 and 12: fact that the Vice President failed
Page 13 and 14: This was vividly clear when some so
Page 15 and 16: Military’s refusal to oblige with
Page 17 and 18: Post-resignation press statement by
Page 19 and 20: Prior to President Nasheed’s resi
Page 21 and 22: The second point to be noted is tha
Page 23 and 24: Excerpt from Deputy Leader Umar Nas
Page 25 and 26: The decision made by the people wit
Page 27 and 28: Crowd not being controlled We canno
Page 29: The conclusions we reach today rega

Resignation-Under-Duress

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