Maldivian politician (died 2022)
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]
Background
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.
Early life and education
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.
Death
He died from a long-term illness at Nawaloka Hospital in Sri Lanka.[8]
References
