No cause for resignation over unrelated matter: Ameen

Despite the relentless call for his resignation, there is no cause to do so in a case that has not the slightest connection to him, said Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen.

His remarks were made at the parliament in response to a no confidence motion filed by the opposition, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), alleging that Ameen had influenced Maldives Police Service in favour of his relatives in the case of 21 year old Hawwa Yumn Rasheed who was found fallen onto the roof top of a warehouse from H. Fentenoy on April 18.

Yumn's case sparked widespread outrage and nightly protests in front of Henveiru Police Station, with one of the top demands being Ameen's resignation. The opposition said it would be best for Ameen to comply with the demands and tender his resignation.

However, Ameen said that only relation he has to Ameen's case is that he is a Maldivian who lives in Malé.

He firmly said that he would not resign over the matter even if such calls from within or outside the parliament.

"So even if you repeat this again and again, I would say that there is no reason for me to resign over a case that has not connection to me whatsoever," Ameen said.

He reiterated that he did not influence anyone in the case, and has no reason to do so as well. He also noted that despite claims that he had exerted influence, the members who submitted the motion did not clarify what influence he exerted.

Even if it is said that his relatives are connected to the case for argument's sake, he has no reason to influence the matter because they are not his children, spouse, parents or people under his care, Ameen said.

He also said those involved in the case are old enough to take responsibility for their actions on their own.

While the investigation has determined that Ameen's residence, which is co-owned by him and three of his siblings, was used by a group of youth for a drug fueled party, police found nothing incriminating after doing a search of the house six days after the incident. Authorities were also unable to get the CCTV footage from the building.

Despite Ameen's claims minimising his connection to the case to simply being a Maldivian who lives in Malé, his nephew Izdhiyan Mohamed Maumoon was suspended from his position as Under Secretary at the President's Office over the case.

Amidst outrage over how police handled the case, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu formed a presidential commission to probe into the matter further. He said the commission's recommendation would be followed.