PNC Quashes Opposition Move to Remove Minister Ameen

The People’s National Congress (PNC) used its parliamentary supermajority to defeat a no-confidence motion submitted by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) against Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen. 

The motion, endorsed by 12 MDP members, was rejected in a vote of 54 to 11.

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The motion stemmed from allegations that the minister abused his position to interfere in a police investigation into the case of a 21-year-old woman who was found injured on the rooftop of a warehouse in Male’ on 18 April. Police concluded that she fell through a skylight on the ninth-floor stairwell of an adjacent building and stated that no evidence of foul play had been found. However, this conclusion has been disputed by her family.

Prior to the incident, the woman had been at a gathering involving at least nine individuals at a residence identified as belonging to Minister Ameen’s family. The gathering is believed to have involved the consumption of drugs and alcohol. 

Two of the individuals present were later identified as Ameen’s nephews. The police initially withheld the names of other attendees, only naming eight persons of interest six days after the incident, leading to allegations of a coverup.

Ameen Admits Call to Police Chief, Denies Abuse of Power

Minister Ameen addressed Parliament today, asserting that no investigative agency had found any link between his nephews and the incident. He denied any interference in the investigation and stated that there was no evidence illegal substances were used at his family residence. Ameen admitted he had contacted the then-Commissioner of Police during a press briefing on 24 April, but said he only advised that a court warrant was unnecessary to search his residence.

The MDP’s motion highlighted the delay in naming the individuals who were with the woman before her fall, as well as the reported inability of police to obtain CCTV footage from Ameen’s residence due to allegedly malfunctioning cameras. The opposition party argued that the handling of the case pointed to an attempt to shield those involved due to their connections to influential figures.

The case has sparked widespread public concern, with daily protests held in Male’ demanding justice and calling for the resignation of senior officials, including the transport and home ministers. Demonstrators, largely comprising young people, have accused the authorities of lacking transparency and accountability.

Police have stated that the woman and one of the men with her at the time of the incident were heavily intoxicated and had tested positive for narcotics. Released CCTV footage appeared to show the woman unsteady on her feet and falling to the ground at one point.

A five-member presidential commission has been appointed to carry out an independent investigation into the case.