Dhagandey is still held in Dhoonidhoo prison without charge

Popular Addu reformist and photo journalist Mohamed Saeed (Dhagandaa) was arrested on 1st May from his island and brought to Dhoonidhoo prison. It has since been more than 4 weeks and he remains in detention without being charged. According to our sources he was initially arrested in relation to a demonstration by the students of Irushaadhiyya school in April, news of which he covered. more

The continued detention of Dhagandey and the arbitrary arrest of other reformist including Saleem Ali from Huvadhoo yesterday is a clear sign that the Maldives Dictator knows no other means to remain in power but by brute force without any regard for the rule of law.

Article 15 - (1)(b) of the Maldives Constitution states that "No person shall be arrested or detained except as provided by law. No person shall be detained for a period exceeding twenty-four hours without being informed of the grounds of arrest or detention."

And, Article 15 - (1) (d) states "No person charged with an offence shall be kept in detention for a period exceeding seven days except as provided by law."

According to legal experts, in view of the above two clauses of the constitution, arbitrary arrests and indefinite detention is in fact against the law and can only be classed as an act of treason. But of course, the Maldives Dictator is 'above the law'.