Rights groups decry Maldives terror charges

[struggle4progress]

By Simon Gardner, COLOMBO, Aug 25 : Human rights groups today decried the Maldivian government's decision to charge the main opposition leader with terrorism for speaking out against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, calling it politically motivated.

Mohamed Nasheed, who heads the Maldivian Democratic Party and is a vocal critic of Gayoom, was detained on August 12 during a rally in the capital, Male. He was charged on Monday with terrorism and sedition for alleged comments he had made weeks earlier, and could face life in jail.

''We are very concerned about his detention,'' said Abbas Faiz, South Asia Researcher for Amnesty International in London. <snip>

Around 100 other people are still being held in detention centres without charge following a series of street protests earlier this month. <snip>

http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=17177

[wli]

1. more precedents for Bushler to draw on

Except I'm sure he wants things to build up in size so he can get the most people possible into REX 84 death camps.