Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

“When asked about why the opposition members were arrested, Gayyoom replied "Violence, Violence, Violence"”

“Freedom of expression is guaranteed by our constitution.”

“These people where inciting people to violence. That is not allowed in any country, in any democracy. You don't allow that in the United Kingdom, you don't allow that in the United States, or anywhere in the world.”

“I think our human rights record is very good. ... there is no systematic human rights abuses in the Maldives, there are no arbitrary arrests and people are tried in open court and they have access to lawyers.”

“My main objective has been to raise the standard of living of the people, to achieve social and economic progress.”