Maldives to implement death penalty despite FM's resignation

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday night said he would go ahead with the implementation of the deal penalty, the president's office announced.

He made the announcement hours after his Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon decided to resign over the stand taken by the president.

During an address to the nation to mark Eid ul-Fitr celebrated by the Muslims, which falls on Wednesday, the president said that his administration had seen three vice presidents and as many defence ministers as well as several changes in cabinet positions.

He said that the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) was the largest political movement in the nation and that this was a time for the party to come together, rather than slide back to the uncertainty of four years ago, and to deliver on meaningful change for the nation to move forward through clear dialogue and mutual counsel.

Speaking on the implementation of the death penalty, the president said that while he moved forward with a heavy heart and with scrutiny from the international community, he was steadfast in his belief that it served the greater good for the safety and protection of society.

He added that the country was facing added international scrutiny because of leaders of political parties being sentenced by the courts, and that while the administration cannot and should not influence the judiciary, that justice should not elude those with higher influence.

Acknowledging that it was the duty of every leader to bring happiness and progress to the people, the president stated that his intention of taking office was not to challenge other leaders but to face and deliver on the challenges to the nation. Endit