13 February 2013, Malé; The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives wishes to confirm that neither the High Commission of India in Male', nor any other authority of the Government of India has had discussion with the Government of Maldives concerning former President of Maldives Mr. Mohamed Nasheed's reported request for ‘refuge' at the Indian High Commission in Male'. However, following several inquiries by the Ministry, the High Commission confirmed Mr. Nasheed's presence there.
The Ministry would like to emphasise that Mr. Nasheed's on-going trial is a matter handled by two independent State institutions, namely the Prosecutor General and the judiciary. Like any other democratic country, the executive branch of the Government of Maldives cannot, under the Constitution of the Maldives, interfere with the independence of the judiciary, and will indeed ensure that the independence of the judiciary is always upheld.
It is unfortunate that the Government of India has decided to publicly comment on today's events instead of opting for bilateral discussions between the two Governments. It is further unfortunate that the Government of India has decided to comment on the types of candidates that could contest the upcoming Presidential Elections in the Maldives scheduled for September 2013. The independent Elections Commission has not, as of date, announced the candidates for the elections. Furthermore the Government firmly believes that the Elections Commission of Maldives is fully capable of evaluating and deciding eligibility of nominees in the elections and carrying forward a credible electoral process. To presume otherwise would be undermining the democratic institutions of the country and the progress achieved by the Maldives in consolidating its democracy.
ENDS