Sobah Rasheed leaves country, receives political asylum

 

Jumhoree Party (JP) Foreign and Public Relations Sobah Rasheed, who has been recently charged with terrorism, has left the country and sought political asylum.

In a youtube video publicized on Wednesday, Sobah Rasheed said that he has left Maldives, and is currently in another country, but did not reveal where.

Sobah said that he did not want to be one of the victims of President Yameen and his allies’ oppression, and that leaving the country was the only way that he can continue to serve the country and its people.

“This decision was made because I believe that we will not be able to effectively conduct our crucial work against oppression, and the work to release President Nasheed and Colonel Nazim, if I were to be imprisoned for 10-15 years. I believe that it will also be a great hindrance to our work in helping Qasim and his colleagues escape President Yameen’s plans to ruin Qasim's business.” said Sobah in the six-minute video.

Sobah said that he is not afraid, and will not back down from President Yameen and Minister Ahmed Adeeb’s oppression.

He said that he will now be informing the European media - of the oppression that is being inflicted on the Maldivian people, by the government and its corruption. He will also be informing them of the attacks given to political leaders, especially on President Nasheed and Colonel Nazim.

Sobah also informed that the US, Europe and other countries will be conducting an “expansive campaign”, to take drastic steps, towards the businessmen and politicians who are involved in the oppression.

“I will be informing the international political leaders and media, about the corrupt judges in the courts who take part in Yameen and Adeeb’s corrupt political rulings, and about the bribes they take to implement the rulings. I will also reveal those behind the murder of Dr. Afrasheem, their motives behind that murder, and also on how they planned it.” said Sobah.

Sobah said that the country needs people who will stand up to oppression, and that more work is needed to uphold the rights of those who are serving prison sentences for fighting for the rights of citizens, and for those who have fled from President Yameen’s oppression.

“I promise President Nasheed’s family and MDP members that I will not stop the work for the release of Nasheed. I promise Colonel Nazim’s family and children that I will not stop the work for his release. I also promise Villa Group employees that I will work tirelessly and endlessly to release the shackles put on Qasim’s Villa Company. My only wish is for our current peaceful protests in Male’ to become larger.” Said Sobah.

Sobah Rasheed, Adhaalath Party Leader Imran Abdulla, and JP Deputy Leader Ameen Ibrahim have all been charged with terrorism regarding the mass rally held on May 1st, also known as May Day.

Ameen Ibrahim has also left the country.

During Imran’s first hearing held on Tuesday, while Imran had pleaded not-guilty to his terrorism charges, Criminal Court has decided that Imran be remanded until the conclusion of his trial.

If any of the defendants are found guilty of terrorism charges, they will receive 10-15 years in prison.@vnews