A climate of violence reigns over political life in the Maldives.
This Wednesday, the Minister of Justice of the Maldives was attacked with a hammer, a rare type of attack against a civil servant, in this archipelago known as a luxury tourist destination.
Hussain Shameem was on his way to work when an unidentified attacker lunged at him and injured his left arm, a police official told AFP.
In a message posted on Facebook, Hussain Shameem, who said he had returned home to his family, pledged to continue his work, also sharing a photo of himself with his arm in a sling.
“I was attacked this morning (…) my left hand was broken,” he wrote, without giving further details of the incident.
“Back home with my family, I will return to work stronger and get back to running, cycling and swimming even faster,” added Hussain Shameem.
The Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party, said the attack was politically motivated.
But police said they suspected a link to criminal proceedings brought by Hussain Shameem, a veteran lawyer who became justice minister in 2019.
Tensions between the majority and the opposition
The attack came three days after violent scenes in parliament, which erupted when lawmakers rejected three nominations for ministerial posts, including that of the justice minister.
ކެނދިކުޅުދޫ ދާއިރާގެ މެމްބަރު އީސާގެ ފައިގައި ކަނޑިތީމު ކަނޑިތީމު ޝަހީމް ވައްޓާލާ ވައްޓާލާ.
އެމްޑީޕީ ދޫކޮށް ޕީއެންސީއާ ގުޅުނު ސަރުކާރުގެ މަޖިލީހަށް ހުރަސް ހުރަސް ހަމަނުޖެހުން ހިނގަމުން އަންނަނީ އަންނަނީ.
pic.twitter.com/mnmzvYKsrO
— Adhadhu (@AdhadhuMV) January 28, 2024
Ruling party lawmakers attempted Sunday to block a vote by the main opposition party - which with its allies holds a majority in parliament - on the cabinet appointed by recently elected President Mohamed Muizzu.
Videos posted on social media show at least one parliamentarian bleeding from the neck after being caught in a violent melee inside the chamber, leading to the temporary suspension of work.
Watch: Maldives Parliament witnesses physical altercation after Government MPs (PPM/PNC party) disrupt proceeding over Parliament & Speakers' functioning.
Key vote was to take place today over Parliamentary approval for the Muizzu cabinet.
Exclusive video from inside: pic.twitter.com/FwWj80uuyL
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 28, 2024
Lawmakers were seen snatching microphones and using plastic trumpets to disrupt proceedings, amid scenes of chaos.
According to police, there is no immediate link between the two incidents.