Temporary order issued to halt dismantling of Usfasgandu

Civil Court has issued an order to halt dismantling of Usfasgandu until the court makes a decision on the case filed by MDP regarding Usfasgandu.

The court called on everyone involved to cease all activities which might interfere with the case filed by MDP.

Police have stopped all efforts to dismantle Usfasgandu subsequent to this order. They have even returned some items removed from the area.

Police have stated that they will comply with the court order.

“Police will follow court orders. We have stopped dismantling Usfasgandu,” a Police media official said.

Clashes took place between protesters and Police at around 23:00 at the junction of Majeedee magu and Chaandhanee magu. The window of Hageegee bodu Sale shop was broken.

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The Police released a statement at around 16:00 today, indicating that they had made the decision to dismantle Usfasgandu and hand over the area to the government, to free the area of crime and make it safe for all citizens.

Police commenced an operation to search Usfasgandu at 8:00 this morning following a court order issued at 15:00 yesterday.

Confrontations have taken place, including protesters throwing stones at the Police. Several protesters, media officials and Police personnel suffered injuries of various degrees. A female Police officer was taken to the hospital.

Several people have been arrested, including MDP Spokesperson and Maafannu Uthuru MP Imthiyaz Fahmy.

MDP is continuing their protest, and the crowd is currently at the junction of Majeedee magu and Chaandhanee magu. Protesters are saying, “We will protest all over Male’. This is only the beginning.”

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Earlier this morning, the Police made checks on the area and identified suspicious objects by placing red flags on them. Among the items found at Usfasgandu are substances suspected to be drugs and a box of condoms.

Members of MDP Mariya Ahmed Didi and Eva Abdullah were present at Usfasgandu while the Police conducted their search.

Several people were arrested for contempt of court, and several items were taken away by the Police.

The Police commenced digging the ground at Usfasgandu at around 14:00, following suspicions of black magic activities having been conducted there. However nothing related to black magic was found.