Current protests encourage terrorism: Police

Police have said that the current protests in capital Male’ encourage violence and terrorism.

They said in a document released today that the demonstrations are no longer conducted peacefully, and that this will not be allowed.

They said that fireballs, petrol bottles and bricks were used in last night’s protest, causing damage to Police and private property. While one Police Officer sustained burns from a fireball, two others suffered injuries to the head and stomach by hurled bricks.

The Police have arrested a 16 year old boy following the fireball incident.

The Police said that they will take every possible action within the limits of the law to end the series of ongoing protests.

Protests are held every night in Male’ to call for the release of the Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed, who is detained by the military. Demonstrators say that Police obstruct them from holding peaceful protests.

Supreme Court, High Court and Civil Court have ordered the military to release Judge Abdulla immediately. However the military and government have dismissed these orders.

The United Nations has called the government to either release the Judge or charge him. The International Commission of Jurists has also called the government to release him.