Sunday Times 2
Maldivian watchdog accuses India of ‘interfer
View(s):MALE, Feb 16 (AFP) -Maldivian judges accused India’s top envoy of meddling in domestic politics by sheltering ex-president Mohamed Nasheed who faces charges that could rule him out of contesting elections. Nasheed has remained at the Indian embassy since Wednesday after taking refuge there to avoid being arrested after he failed to appear in court last weekend to answer charges of abuse of power while he was president.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a watchdog responsible for the administration of the justice system in the Indian Ocean holiday destination, accused Indian High Commissioner D.M. Mullay of meddling in local politics. ”We regret the interference of the High Commissioner (ambassador) of India in Maldives in his personal capacity with the judicial process of the Maldives,” the JSC said in a statement.
It said the Indian envoy was “impeding the due process of the law” by “keeping” Nasheed within the diplomatic compound. There was no immediate comment from the Indian diplomatic mission. Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party says it considers the charges of abuse of power against him to be politically motivated. A conviction would prevent him from holding public office.
The country is slated to hold presidential elections on September 7.
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