Former SAARC Secretary General Diyana Saeed arrested and released

Former SAARC Secretary General Diyana Saeed was arrested and released after 2 hours last night when she was seated with some other women in the Jumhoory Maidaan. She was with some other women  staging a protest against the arrest of the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdullah Mohamed. Diyana's protest was also against the Government challenging and threatening the power of the judiciary, and for depriving the rights of the people. Diyana was taken to Police vehicle by force. She was however released. But she and other protesters were told they will be prosecuted for protesting in a prohibited area.

According to Diyana's husband Abdulla Jabir she was taken to Police forcefully and she sustained some injuries in the incident. She was taken to ADK Hospital where she was given necessary care.

Diyana and her friends were taken to Police Headquarters in a closed vehicle which she later told reporters contained pepper spray. She said she was surprised to find the vehicle in that state. She was ready to go to their Headquarters, but she became hesitant to go in the vehicle when she saw the coffin like vehicle.

She told reporters that  President Nasheed when he protested at the time of reform struggle, the vehicles and rights he enjoyed were better than what she  got tonight during a time when the new Constitution  provides full rights to the people. But these rights are deprived by the Government in their total disrespect and violation of the Constitution and rule of law, Diyana said.

Diyana resigned from the post of SAARC Secretary General last week after she condemned the Government's arrest of  Judge Abdulla which she said was against the Constitution. The Government has not obeyed the order of the Supreme Court to release the judge immediately. She was taken to Police last week also for joining the opposition protest  condemning the Government's violation of the Constitution,

Diyana told media that she was not interested in politics but because of the actions of the Government violating the Constitution she felt as a citizen of the country she has a moral duty to speak out and join those who are struggling to save the country from the brink of Constitutional collapse.

In a TV interview, Diyana said she tried her best during her tenure as Attorney General to bring the President into the boundary of law. But the truth is the President has not a bit of respect for law. Because of his gross violation of the Constitution and disobeying the order of the Supreme Court, and the call of the UN High Commissioner for human rights to release the arrested judge, the President must be impeached now, she said.

All opposition parties have strongly condemned the manner in which Police arrested and took her to the Police Headquarters.

Meanwhile, several persons have sent bouquets and messages to Diyana praising her for courageous example for the sake of rights of the people and protecting the Constitution. She was applauded by speakers in the main protest held in Male' last night.

Diyana was the first Attorney General of President Nasheed's Government, and she was appointed to the post of SAARC Secretary General in March last year.