7 people released in mob attack against police

7 of the 10 men who were arrested from Gaafu Alifu Atoll Vilingili under the suspicion they attacked policemen have been released.

A total of 14 men were arrested on July 21 when some local men had attacked policemen cl

aiming they had brutalized some youngsters. Three of the policemen had suffered head injuries during the attack.

Four of the men were released by Vilingili Magistrate Court and 10 men ordered under police arrest during the first remand hearing. 7 of these men were released by the court on Monday when they were taken to court for an extension to their remand period. Police were granted an extension to the remand period of three of the men.

A police media official reported that two of the men were granted a 7 day extension to their remand period while one of the men was granted a 5 day extension.

An additional arrest was also made in relation to the incident at around 1:30 pm on Monday with police arresting a 23 year-old man. Police reported that Vilingili Magistrate Court had granted them a 7 day remand period for the man.

Vilingili Island Council said that the whole incident started after a policeman on duty in the island started brutalizing youth. Council said that the brutality was only exercised by one particular policeman and that they had repeatedly requested with the police that he not be allowed out on duty.

Police said that they were investigating the claims of police brutality.