Timeline of Events: End of Nasheed Era

The Initial Crisis and Illegal Detentions

10^th January 2012 – Leaders of the former coalition partner Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) appeared on the private television broadcast channel DhiTV criticizing the Administration of Mr. Mohamed Nasheed. Dr. Mohamed Jameel, who was Mr. Nasheed’s former Minister for Transportation and Communication, as well as the Deputy Leader of DQP, along with DQP’s Council Member “Sandhaanu” Ahmed Didi called on the Administration to refrain from practices they saw as irreligious. These two individuals then proceeded to accuse former President Nasheed of working on behalf of other religions and their advocates to subvert traditional ideologies within the country.

11^th January 2012 – The Press Secretary at the President’s Office, Mohamed Zuhair, immediately responded stating that “spreading baseless and demonstrably false claims” was a criminal offense. This line was taken in spite of slander and libel being downgraded from criminal offenses to civil ones, both by the new 2008 Constitution and government regulations.[1] Press Secretary Zuhair went so far as to state that any party or entity that participates in the criminal offense of spreading false claims will have measures taken against them, namely the television station which broadcast these view points. “Hiriga” Ahmed Zahir, the head of the Maldivian Journalist Association, responded stating that the threatening of media outlets was not conducive to democracy.

12^th January 2012 – Dr. Jameel and Mr. Didi are summoned to the Police Headquarters at 8:00PM and 8:20PM respectively. While Dr. Jameel was allowed to return home after his statement was recorded, Mr. Didi was detained. The reasons given for the detention by the police were: his comments on DhiTV, his statements during the interrogation, and what he might tell the public once released.  During the interrogation, Home Minister Mr. Hassan Afeef entered the police station. When Mr. Abdul Matheen, another DQP Deputy Leader, called for Mr. Afeef’s resignation, he was immediately detained as well. Both Mr. Matheen and Mr. Didi was sent to Dhoonidhoo Detention Center, kept overnight and released the following day. read more