The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said it cannot take any action yet against former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed, who is running for Parliament on an MDP ticket, despite the leak of statements from his alleged rape and sexual assault victims.
Ali Waheed had immediately been sacked as Tourism Minister when he faced the allegations. He was also charged after the case was investigated. But the Prosecutor General's (PG) office withdrew the charges last year after witnesses retracted their statements.
Asked about the issue at a press conference last night after the statements were leaked on social media, Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, MDP's campaign spokesperson, said the present circumstances did not warrant taking action.
The previous government did everything possible to facilitate an independent investigation in the case, Easa said in his response, noting the dismissals of Ali Waheed and others involved in the case.
Despite not making a decision on removing Ali Waheed from the MDP ticket, the party had previously taken back the ticket from Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir. But the two cases were completely different, Easa said.
"There are videos showing the Kaashidhoo MP going on to a Maldivian island and calling out raw profanities, using language in a manner that disturbed and harassed women and children. Many people from different islands saw those scenes," Easa said.
However, Ali Waheed faced allegations with only statements to back up the allegations, Easa said. But action would still be taken if evidence to support the allegations emerges in the future, he said.
"In the circumstance where further evidence is found in the case and if there is any path for prosecution after the investigative agencies investigate, the necessary action will be taken," Easa said.
Ali Waheed is contesting for the Kulhudhuffushi city's southern constituency. His main contender is ruling party candidate Faruhath Mohamed. Aiman Mohamed, Faruhath's brother, had contested as an independent candidate after losing the PNC primary but he has since endorsed Faruhath.
Ali Waheed's sexual assault allegations
Ali Waheed was appointed as Tourism Minister on a Jumhooree Party (JP) slot. He was accused in 2021 of sexually assaulting female staff at the ministry.
The cases emerged when 13 employees of the Tourism Ministry went to the President's Office with the Gender Minister at the time and told the President about Ali Waheed's sexual assaults. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih wept when he heard the stories, the media reported at the time.
After the investigation, the PG office filed charges against Ali Waheed, who left the country for medical treatment after the trial started.
In August that year, Ali Waheed was arrested in England over violations of the UK's immigration law. He was released after a temporary detention. The British government later determined the arrest to have been unlawful and apologized to Ali Waheed.
While he was in the UK, the alleged victims of rape and assault withdrew statements provided as evidence against Ali Waheed, after which the PG office withdrew the court cases. Ali Waheed returned to the Maldives in July last year after the charges were dropped.
Ali Waheed was not involved in politics immediately after his return and focused on sports. However, as the presidential election approached, Ali Waheed worked as a campaign agent of JP candidate Qasim Ibrahim. Ali Waheed joined the MDP on December 7 and launched his campaign in Kulhudhuffushi city.
