The attempt to physically assault the President was an act of terrorism: Abbas

Press Secretary Abbas Adil Riza have condemned the attempts made by several MDP MPs to physically assault the President; as he was present at the Citizen's Majlis to deliver his inaugural presidential address to Parliament; as acts of terrorism. 

He further stated that these actions were atrocious crimes, and that legal steps would be taken against those responsible. 

"On February 7, even in the middle of massive civil unrest, no attempts were made to physically assault or harm Nasheed out of respect for him since he had served as President. [What happened on March 1st] were dishonourable acts. Crimes in the eyes of the law. We shall take whatever steps that we find necessary against the perpetrators."

Abbas said that the MDP MPs had attempted to, en masse, run towards the President and assault him. He commended the President's exemplary reaction. 

"There is no problem to protest within its limits. Yet, it is a crime to attempt to assault the President. We shall announce this crime with the world. I congratulate the President's courage."

Abbas said that the organizers of these protests were encouraging their supporters to commit crimes, and were, as a result, promoting an environment of crime. When people are keen to obey the MDP in every instruction it would be wise, said Abbas, to remember that if a crime has been committed: the guilty could be punished at a much later date. 

Abbas accused the MDPs protests for an election date as a pretext to erode the rule of law in the country, and even if such a date was announced the MDP would still be taking to the streets. Abbas expressed his certainty that these protests had been planned and organized ahead of time and were in no way spontaneous. 

Abbas said that even if the PPM and the DRP [edit: and as of this writing, the Adhaalath, as well] have left the All-Party Talks: the President wishes to continue the negotiations and wishes to progress and solve the situation by means of such negotiations. 

"What we saw today [March 1st] were acts of terrorism implemented under the instruction of ex-President Nasheed. It is known to us that what happened inside the premises of the Majlis happened under direct instructions from Nasheed. This is an extension of the lawlessness that characterized his three-year rule. Today, however, we shall not give Nasheed the chance to continue [flaunting the law]. We shall proceed within the confines of the law." 

Abbas noted that even during Nasheed's rule, there were many MPs who opposed him in the Majlis and many citizens were likewise opposed to his government. "Yet, nothing of this sort has ever happened before. Three years ago, we didn't resort to the tactics of the MDP to prevent Nasheed from delivering his inaugural parliamentary address not because we were incapable of doing so. We refrained because we saw them to be dirty tactics. Even back then, the majority of the Majlis were opposition MPs", said Abbas. 

Abbas further stated that what has, and continues to, come to light in all of these incidents is that the "terrorist actions" committed by the MDP were very well-planned and that they were backed by foreigners.