Mohamed Latheef | |
---|---|
މުހައްމަދު ލަތީފް | |
Born |
Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives |
Died | 3 July 2022
Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Other names | Gogo Latheef |
Alma mater |
Trinity College, Kandy Royal College, Colombo |
Known for | Co-founding the
Maldivian Democratic Party Father of Jennifer Latheef Parliamentarian |
Political party | Maldivian Democratic Party |
Children | Jennifer Latheef |
Mohamed Latheef ( Dhivehi: މުހައްމަދު ލަތީފް; died 3 July 2022), more popularly known as Gogo Latheef ( Dhivehi: ގޯގޯ ލަތީފް), was a Maldivian politician, a former parliamentarian and a campaigner for human rights. He is a co-founder of the MDP ( Maldivian Democratic Party), a political party in the Maldives. [1] He was self-exiled in Sri Lanka for a number of years. [2]
Latheef has alleged that his father and close relatives were killed while in prison during the regime of the former Maldivian President Ibrahim Nasir. [3] Latheef, who was himself a member of parliament [1] and once a close associate of President Gayoom, was held in solitary confinement for three months without any charges being brought against him. He was also named a Prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International in 2002. [4] As well as being a cofounder, he was also the Spokesperson of the MDP. [5] While Latheef was living in exile in Sri Lanka, he was subjected to threats by the Maldivian government. [2]
He is the father of Jennifer Latheef, a journalist who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her alleged involvement in the civil unrest of 2003. [6]
Latheef was the Human Rights Ambassador of the Maldives.
He was born in the island of GdH. Thinadhoo. [7] Latheef was educated in Sri Lanka, first at Trinity College, Kandy and then at the Royal College, Colombo.
He died from a long-term illness at Nawaloka Hospital in Sri Lanka. [8]