The Spokesperson for the PPM/PNC Parliamentary Campaign Heena Waleed says the former government swept the sexual harassment case filed against one of its former ministers Ali Waheed and the MDP leadership is yet to make any remarks about the latest development in the case.
Heena made the comments in a press briefing held earlier today.
She said MDP is backing some individuals who have faced domestic violence allegations for the parliamentary election and that electing such individuals would put the female MPs at the parliament at risk too.
She questioned whether MDP is not saying anything about the matter because it goes well with its principles.
Heena said when the news of the sexual harassment allegations against Ali Waheed came to light, the fact that former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih grabbed headlines for shedding tears upon hearing victim statements.
She said that while the investigation was underway, the former government was behind letting the former Minister leave the country to sweep the case under the rug.
Heena recounted that the Court issued an order for his return but that the authorities were unable to bring him in front of the court and the court order was revoked.
She also said that then the government heard how the victims involved in the case refused to give their testimony to the prosecution and how the prosecution withdrew its charges against the former Minister.
Ali Waheed, who had exiled himself to the UK, returned to the Maldives after the state failed to gather evidence to prove the allegations against him. He rejoined MDP for the second time in 2023 and is now competing for the Kulhudhufushi South Parliamentary seat under MDP's ticket.
The allegations against the former Tourism Minister have come back to the media attention after a social media account leaked victim statements taken against him during the police investigation into the allegations.
Though, the allegations have been painted as sexual harassment, the statements revealed that the crimes committed were more serious and much heinous as some have alleged that they had been raped by the former Minister.
