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Death penalty will be implemented in a PPM govt: President Yameen

Shaina Abdulla
08 August 2018, MVT 15:46
President Abdulla Yameen during his official visit to GA.Vilingili. PHOTO/MIHAARU
Shaina Abdulla
08 August 2018, MVT 15:46

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has declared that capital punishment will be established in an administration of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and called to stop obstruction towards the president.

The president made the statement during a speech at Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Madaveli, amidst public criticism of the government over the delay in implementing the death penalty.

President Yameen stated that capital punishment will be implemented as soon as the procedure code is complete, and assured that the president will fulfil all pledges made to the public during his administration.

The president further alleged that members of opposition parties have been working to obstruct Yameen’s foreign policy, which is built on religion, independence and Maldivian culture.

The government had earlier announced that capital punishment will be established by September 2017.

An execution chamber has now been established in Maafushi Prison. According to the regulations compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs on capital punishment, the death penalty will be executed via hanging or lethal injection.

There are currently 18 individuals on death row in the Maldives, according to the statistics of Maldives Correctional Service. The three courts of the judiciary have upheld capital punishment for three of them: Hussain Humam Ahmed convicted of MP Dr. Afrasheem Ali’s murder, Ahmed Murrath convicted of killing prominent lawyer Ahmed Najeeb, and Mohamed Nabeel convicted of killing Abdulla Farhad.

Meanwhile, international organisations and world powers have raised concerns over the Maldives’ return to capital punishment after nearly six decades of upholding de facto moratorium. The United Nations, European Union and Amnesty International, along with nations such as the United States, United Kingdom and Canada have called on the Maldives government to axe its decision to implement the death penalty.

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