Govt would never negotiate with MDP to release perpetrators of terrorism

Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Abbas Adil Riza, has said that the government would never negotiate with Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to release people who had torched buildings and destroyed public property. He assured the government would not interfere with the work of the Prosecutor General on anyone's behalf, including members of the government.

Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office on Sunday, Riza also said the government would not negotiate, during any talks, on cases of terrorism linked to public protests. 

Riza said this welcoming the public statement made by MDP announcing the party’s readiness for talks. 

Riza said the government was ready for whatever talks necessary to calm the political tensions.

Riza, however, stressed that the MDP must stop causing damage to the Police and MNDF centres and people's private property and stop all acts of terrorism. He added the government would not participate in any negotiation that would portray acts of terrorism as political activities exempt from legal actions.