MDP Calls for Withdrawal of Charges Against Thinadhoo Mayor Saud Ali, Calling Them Politically Motivated

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for the withdrawal of the charges filed by the state against G.Dh. Thinadhoo Mayor Saud Ali, describing them as politically motivated and contrary to justice. In the case alleging that Thinadhoo's population was falsified, the state filed two charges against Saud last September: knowingly providing a document that is not genuine, which carries a basic penalty of one year, seven months and six days imprisonment, and providing false information to an official institution, which carries a basic penalty of four months and 24 days imprisonment. The trial began on the 1st of this month, and the MDP issued a statement yesterday expressing concern over the matter. The MDP's statement said the charges are based on a decision made by the Thinadhoo Council, and that holding Saud Ali personally responsible for such a matter, or bringing criminal charges against him, is entirely contrary to the Constitution, the laws and general legal principles. "These are charges filed without any basis, with a political intent," the statement said. Noting that the state has not presented sufficient evidence, the statement said: "The state has not presented evidence to a sufficient standard precisely because Saud Ali has not in reality committed any such criminal offence." According to the statement, the police and the Prosecutor General's Office have acted "with an extraordinary degree of force" contrary to how they act in other cases. It also noted that, from the manner in which the Criminal Court has acted so far, the aim has been to deliver a verdict as quickly as possible, contrary to procedures followed in other cases filed with the court. The MDP further said the charges were filed within a short period of days after Saudullah Hilmy, the PNC member for the Thinadhoo North constituency in the People's Majlis, warned in a public place that Saud Ali would be removed from his post and imprisoned even if he is elected mayor again. The party called for the withdrawal of "these political charges that have departed from justice," adding: "The Muizzu government's directives are criminalising political charges against MDP activists and members serving in elected positions. And we remind you that the party's members will not back down because of such acts of intimidation." In the Council election held last April, Saud defended the post of mayor by contesting as the PNC's candidate. Thinadhoo was granted city status in August 2023, under the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, while Saud was then the Council President. When city status was announced, the Department of National Registration showed 7,906 people in the island's registry; city status is granted when the population exceeds 10,000. However, according to the report prepared by the Elections Commission afterwards to determine the administrative constituencies of the 20th Majlis, Thinadhoo's population is 10,150.