In what appears to be a poor choice of words on Twitter Maldivian Home Minister Mohamed Jameel Ahmed on Monday said the former President Mohamed Nasheed was “toppled” on February 7, 2012.
“2012 was historic year for the Maldives. Democracy was tested repeatedly, arrogant, impulsive & authoritarian regime of Nasheed was toppled,” tweeted Mr. Jameel, a lawyer and politician, with a PhD in Criminal Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Another tweet by Mr. Jameel went: “2012 a landmark year & 7th February a landmark moment where people power prevailed over a mad Govt that failed to hear voice of the people.”
The current ruling coalition, right from the time it took charge, has been maintaining that Mr. Nasheed resigned on his own accord. President Mohamed Waheedhas repeatedly pointed out that Mr. Nasheed resigned voluntarily and that the transfer of power was constitutional. This was also the finding of the Commonwealth’s Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) earlier this year.
Mr. Nasheed resigned on February 7, and had initially said on television he was resigning on his own accord. A day later, he went back on his statement and claimed he was overthrown in a coup.
Another tweet from Mr.Jameel charged Mr. Nasheed with abducting a judge (whose arrest he ordered as President) – “2012 popular will of the people prevailed — in modern history first time a former President Nasheed facing prosecution for abducting a judge” — while another commended the government for throwing out GMR ( “2012 present Govt in the Maldives took some very bold decisions — termination of GMR Male' Airport as it was an illegal& a bad deal.”)
There is also one dig at Mr. Nasheed: “2012 I could not forget how I was dragged to police — station six time in a week by former strongman Nasheed — fatally he saw his end in power.”
