MP Hisaan Hussain has defended MP Easa's acts in parliament yesterday, claiming any actions that were taken were in self-defense and were not initiated by MDP. MP Shaheem, meanwhile, sustained injuries to his head and is receiving treatment.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has defended Kendhikulhudhoo constituency MP Ahmed Easa's actions in parliament yesterday, stating that Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem sustained injuries through actions Easa did in his own self-defense.
The physical altercation occurred amidst the disruption of the parliament sitting yesterday by pro-government MPs who were aiming to stop proceedings after opposition parties announced it would deny parliamentary approval to some members of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet.
In the altercation, Shaheem sustained a head injury and was transferred to the hospital for medical treatment.
In a press conference held last night by MDP's parliamentary group (PG), Thulhaadhoo constituency MP Hisaan Hussain said that whatever the MDP MP had done had been in self defense and in a bid to protect other members of parliament and the Speaker.
"The actions of pro government MPs left MDP MPs with no other option than to act in self defense. That is how any human will react in such a situation," Hisaan said.
Hisaan went on to allege that parliament had not provided a safe environment for MPs to work in yesterday. She asserted that even under those circumstances, no MDP MP had initiated any acts of unrest.
After yesterday's sitting on granting parliament approval to cabinet ministers was discontinued due to continued disruption, efforts were made to resume the sitting last night.
However, after repeated attempts for several hours, the Speaker finally announced around 23:00 hrs that the sitting had been discontinued for the night.
Once again, a parliamentary sitting to vote on the matter of cabinet approval has been scheduled, this time for 11:00 hrs today.