One of two arrested during MDP protest released

Maldives Police Service has confirmed the release of one of the two individuals taken into custody during an opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protest held on Saturday night.

The two detained during Saturday night’s protest, which began in front of MDP’s ‘Dhandikoshee Haruge’ on Chaandhanee Magu, were identified as Abdulla Rasheed Hassan, MDP’s Naifaru constituency president, and Ahmed Maimoon Mohamed, the party’s Youth Wing vice president.

In a message to the media, the Police stated that of the two men—aged 30 and 49—who were arrested on charges of obstructing police duties and disobeying orders, the 49-year-old has since been released. Authorities did not disclose the identity of the individual released.

MDP has alleged that both men sustained various injuries during the arrest, adding they were treated at IGMH last night for these injuries.

The protest was organized by the MDP as part of a broader series of activities aimed at expressing public dissent, as the party asserts that the results of recent council elections and referendums reflect a decline in public confidence in the government. Members of the People’s National Front (PNF), a party formed under the leadership of former president Abdulla Yameen, were also reportedly in attendance.

MDP has also accused the Police of obstructing media personnel from carrying out their duties during the protest. The Police have confirmed that incident involving the two protestors who were arrested is under further investigation.