Why am I calling for such a sacrifice?

Maldives Former President Mr. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni)

The Maldives Criminal Court on Friday 13 March sentenced former President Mr. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) for 13 years in prison on charges of terrorism for the detainment of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in the year 2012. Criminal court chief judge Mr. Abdulla Mohamed had been accused of corruption, abuse of power in the reign of Former President, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed in the year 2012. Former President Mr. Mohamed Nasheed was first elected into office as the President of Maldives in the year 2008, bringing an end to the 30-year old known autocratic dictatorship of Former President Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. However in 7^th February 2012, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed was ousted in a coup d’état backed by Maldives Police Service (MPS) & Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).  Following is the statement by Maldives first democratically elected President Mr. Mohamed Nasheed after he was sentenced 13 years to jail by Maldives Criminal Court yesterday, Friday 13^th March 2015.

Former President Mr. Mohamed Nasheed:

 

Beloved citizens of Maldives, I appeal to all of you today to stay courageous and strong; to confront the dictatorial power of this regime. To change this government and work towards forming a government that would pave the way for the people’s development and prosperity; to not be afraid of being arrested or facing a long sentence; to take all of your lives in your hands and to go out onto the streets in protest. Do not consider either the security of your personal lives or the transitory happiness of your wives, husbands, children, parents and relatives; for the security of all of your children and their children is in jeopardy.

Why am I calling for such a sacrifice? Know this for sure: it is not for my own well being. I am not staying in jail, a captive, because I have no way out. I could easily secure my freedom and happiness by agreeing to stop the work I am doing, and falling at President Yameen’s feet. I could choose to live in riches, in comfort, and in joy. But if I choose that path, Maldivians will reach a tragic end. Maldivians will be deprived of what they rightfully deserve: freedom, dignity and democracy. They will never be allowed to stand tall. Forever, they will be forced to cower before this dictatorial regime.


I accepted the results of the 2013 presidential election in good faith. I believed President Abdulla Yameen’s government would uphold the noble principles of Islam. I accepted the results in the hope that this would be a government that would respect democratic norms.


But consider how things have transpired in the year and a half since the election. The Maldivian judiciary is full of corruption and disgrace. Judges are routinely accepting the vile money of bribery. These judges have no fear of the Day of Judgment and no shame in this world. The consequence of their actions is injustice to the public, and the thwarting of this country’s development.


But in this time of profound injustice, I harbor no hatred. And to those who seek to destroy me, I say: I wish upon you good grace and blessings. I wish for good blessings upon us all, in this world and the next.