Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has said that he will bring forward the names of politicians accused of having links with drug dealers and gangs, to parliament.
In response to questions raised by members in today's parliament sitting, Minister Imran said some politicians, businessmen, and heads of institutions are linked to drug networks. Imran had raised similar concerns a year ago as well and said that he would publicise these individuals' names.
Imran said today that if anyone in the state is involved in these activities, the country will suffer greatly, and he will not back down from confronting them.
In response to Imran’s remarks, Parliament Speaker Mohamad Nasheed said the parliament regulations encourage him to clearly disclose the names of those people involved, as the vague statement accuses even those who are not answerable in this matter.
"When you use the term "politicians" it accuses all members of parliament as well as those running businesses in the Maldives," Nasheed said.
The Minister said that he made the statement to show the extent to which those running the country should be aware and cautious about such matters and that it would not be right to make straightforward accusations until the cases are absolutely closed.
However, Minister Imran said the details of these cases would be brought to the parliament's 241 Committee once they are investigated.
Without revealing names, the Drug Enforcement Department of the police told reporters last year during a drug eradication operation that there are prominent politicians who take advantage of drug cases.
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