A leaked audio recording of police questioning former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on 20 July was aired tonight by private radio channel DhiFM.
In the recording, the former president challenges the legal authority of the controversial presidential commission set up to investigate corruption.
Gayoom is heard to say that he attended the police investigation of his own volition to prevent public unrest.
“I believe that the presidential commission does not have legal authority to summon a person against his will,” he said. “So, I don’t have to accept their chit or attend. That, briefly, is what I have to say.”
Gayoom goes on to say he did not have anything to add and exercises the right to remain silent.
Police Sergeant Ahmed Shiyam said the case of the leaked audio recording has not been officially filed, adding he could not comment before an investigation takes place.
He said the former president was questioned inside an investigation room in the presence of his four lawyers.
Gayoom’s lawyer Abbas Shareef told Minivan News that four lawyers, Azima Shakoor, Dheena Hussain, Maumoon Hameed and himself, were present when the former president was questioned.
“I’m confident that the defendant’s lawyers would not record secretly,” he said. “Police took audio and video recordings during the investigation.”
Speaking to the press after returning from the police station, Gayoom said he told the police that the commission was not constitutionally empowered to summon people against their will and signed a statement to that effect.
But a statement issued by police states the former president exercised the right to remain silent.
“When he arrived for the investigation and chose to remain silent, a statement was prepared accordingly and he was escorted to his residence, M. Alivaage,” it reads.
Police have forwarded the case to the prosecutor general's office.
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