Reference: 07/07/2014
9 July 2014

MDP appeals to Russian authorities to exercise restraint and urges Maldives government to accord due process and credible judicial mechanisms in repatriating suspects

The Maldivian Democratic Party reiterates the party’s calls for urgent judicial reform in Maldives and urges the Maldives government to accord due process and credible judicial mechanisms in repatriating suspects.

On 05 July 2014 Police at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport arrested Russian national Roman Valerevich Seleznev, accused by authorities of a third country, of bank fraud, identity theft, and other computer-related crimes.

The MDP notes with concern that the suspect was immediately transported by officials of the third country out of Maldives jurisdiction underlining the cooperating law enforcement agency’s reservations of producing the suspect at a Maldivian Court. This denial of due process by the current PPM government also highlights the lack of credible judicial mechanisms for repatriation of suspects.

The Maldivian Democratic Party notes that the Maldivian Constitution stipulates for arrests within Maldivian territory to be made by personnel of Maldivian security services. It is also a judicial requirement for security services including the Police to procure a warrant from a Maldivian Court for such seize-and-arrest operations and that the suspect is produced at the relevant Court in Maldives prior to repatriation.

The Maldivian Democratic Party deplores the fact that the government had unnecessarily projected the state as powerless and the view that the government had undermined the Maldives Constitution with blatant disregard to concerns of individual rights of tourists who visit Maldives.

It is also a matter of serious concern to the Maldivian Democratic Party that the government’s negligent and high handed tactics in complete disregard to possible repercussions that may have adverse effects on trade and tourism.

The Maldivian Democratic Party urges all concerned authorities abroad to exercise restraint in this specific matter and calls upon local and foreign institutions to prevail over the Maldives government to initiate immediate measures; to foster overdue judicial reforms and establish judicial mechanisms for Police and government officials to cease and desist from deliberate denials of due process. //

ENDS