MDP submits no confidence motion against Minister Ameen

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has submitted to parliament a no confidence motion against Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen.

In a press conference held today, MDP's Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil said that the no confidence motion against Ameen has now been submitted to parliament. He said that the motion had been submitted with signatures of all 12 MDP MPs, after heavy discussions in the PG group.

MDP submitted the motion in response to allegations being made against the Minister in relation to the case of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed's fall from a building on April 18.

The motion states that there are allegations that relatives of Ameen are involved in the case and that the group of youth involved used drugs on the night of the incident in the building Ameen resides in. The motion further states that Police initially attempted to cover up these facts, as well as details of the search conducted on the building.

The motion goes on to say that these facts indicate that Minister Ameen had attempted to influence the investigation against his relatives and save them from criminal charges. It said that this is an abuse of ministerial powers, and in doing so, Ameen has breached the law.

Police received reports of Yumnu being found fallen on to the roof of a warehouse at H. Mitaaz on the morning of April 18. Police have said that she fell from a fanlight in the 9th floor stairwell of adjacent H. Fentenoy.

A series of protests are being staged by youth outside the Henveiru Police Station calling for justice for Yumnu. Protestors have alleged that Ameen is trying to exert undue influence on the investigation, and have called for his resignation.

Ameen, however, has previously said that he is not considering resigning, stating he has no involvement in the case and has not attempted to influence the investigation.