Abbas now writes for Minivan and is highly active politically. Originally Abbas wanted to join the Labour Party because of his passionate interest in labour issues. When that party was unable to get enough signatures, he signed with MDP. "We have a cell of MDP in Henveiru (Kuda Henveiru gofi)," Abbas says, "and I am the president of that cell. We try to be united in all we do. Gayoom has separated us so much." Abbas is a prime target of Maumoon's intimidation because controlling Kuda Henveiru area is critical for Maumoon's political power.
Abbas tells about Chicken Island. "I had created a story called 'Chicken Island.' There were six installments. In each piece, I talked about this imaginary island and the mass corruption. I talked about the brother-in-law, the younger brother, and the ruler's own corruption; about Air Maldives, scandal episode one and two." Soon afterwards this Abbas took part in a demonstration demanding for the reinstatement of government employees fired for political reasons, termination of Adam Zahir and freedom for all political prisoners. Abbas spoke passionately at the demonstration. He said, "We cannot run anymore. Running will not solve anything. This is our problem and we have to face it." Abbas then said, "Today they cannot hit me on the back, because I am not going to run. They will have to hit me on the face!"
After the demonstration, he got three threatening calls and he heard on public media that the Attorney General was to arrest 2 people in relation to the demonstration. Abbas was one of them. Out of the thousands who attended the demonstration, two were to be arrested! The actual fact was that Abbas had started to become to become a thorn in the Dictator's side with Chicken Island and his passionate speeches. Since then he has been told that immigration will not let him leave the country, but there is no arrest, no charge. "This is how Gayoom does it," Abbas says. This was not the end of the harassment. Abbas had just returned from his annual leave when someone called him and told him he had been fired. No warning, no notice. And he didn't even get his holiday pay.
Abbas refused to give into the pressure. Abbas continued to show his strength and courage during the epic lead-up to 10th November. Abbas left Male' on 20th October to assist Fuah Mulak mobilization. The success of Fuah Mulak soon became a danger for Abbas and other members of the MDP delegation and they were forced to go underground. But Abbas re-appeared in style - on Namoonaa dhoni! (Namoonaa Dhoni Chronicle). We have all heard about the bravery and courage of Namoonaa dhoni heroes - the 44 souls who ensured a chapter in Maldivian history for the 10th November that never took place. Whether the Dictator appreciates this irony or not, Abbas and the rest of the Namoonaa dhoni heroes can surely be proud of the momentous blow they delivered single-handedly to the Dictator.
Namoonaa dhoni left Addu with the intention of making it to Male' for 10th November even if they were the only boat to do so! Coast Guard started following Namoonaa dhoni almost as soon as it left Addu around 9:30 p.m. on 6th November. They repeatedly warned the boat that it would be capsized and sunk if it did not stop. The boat eventually stopped near Gaaf Alif Kolamaafushi. Sources on the boat reported that they were surrounded by two Coast Guard naval ships (including Huravee gunship) and four police Gulf Crafts. Sources on the boat also reported that the boat's water, fuel, and food supplies were lost when the Coast Guard manoeuvred close to the boat, causing it to rock and nearly capsize. Eventually the boat was able to refuel and continue their journey.
Namoonaa dhoni traveled mostly by night when they were better able to evade the Coast Guard vessels. During the day it sought safety in shallow waters where the naval vessels could not get near them. This strategy stopped working for Namoonaa dhoni when the Coast Guard landing craft appeared in Thaa Atoll. There was no longer any option left except to run. And the simple fishing vessel could not out-run the Coast Guard vessels. Throughout this fearful ordeal, Abbas Adil Riza continued to be a source of encouragement and strength to the other passengers on the boat. (Child Detainees chronicle)
Namoonaa dhoni could have continued to play with the landing craft but at the cost of risking the lives of the 100s of riot police waiting on the landing craft. Most of the riot police would have landed in the sea and gone straight to the bottom if Namoonaa dhoni had pushed ahead full speed at the critical moment when they were being boarded. Dressing in full riot gear suitable for land operations is the height of stupidity when you are trying to board a vessel on the open seas! And once more it was the peaceful intentions of the people that saved the police! Namoonaa dhoni finally surrendered to the Coast Guard in Thaa atoll on 8th November, after 2 days of constant harassment, threats and terror on the open seas .
All aboard were arrested, tied with cable tie and transported to Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre. All Namoonaa dhoni detainees went on hunger strike to protest their illegal detention. Despite constant denials by Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre and Maldives Police Service that no 10th November detainees have been on hunger strike, every Namoonaa dhoni detainee released is shouting at the top of their voices that the authorities are lying. Every single released detainee reports that they were on hunger strike for varying periods of time, ranging from 2 to 12 days.
Abbas Adil Riza is amongst the last of the 15 Namoonaa dhoni detainees still in Dhoonidhoo. Abbas' 21 day detention period expired with the other Namoonaa dhoni detainees. However, despite the fact that his investigation had been completed and he is a family man with no criminal record, his detention period was extended by 15 days. This has by no means dampened the spirits of the tireless Abbas Adil Riza. In fact, holding him in Dhoonidhoo is probably a nightmare for the Dictator. Abbas has defined himself as a leader in jail. Detainees seek to speak with him about the atrocities committed against them by the Dictator. He constantly advocates for a free and fair Maldives where everyone can earn and live a decent life. Abbas Adil Riza will never give up. And when young leaders like Abbas are ready to continue the fight in the face of every obstacle, the Dictator might as well give up. There's no other choice for him!
- Most of the background information on Abbas Adil Riza has been obtained from his interview in "Insaaf - The Struggle for Freedom in the Maldives"
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