Since the change of government, 52 SO Police Officers summoned to PIC: Police

Statistics of the Police have shown that since the change of government on 7 February 2012 and till the end of last month, 52 Special Operations (SO) Police Officers have been summoned to the Police Integrity Commission (PIC).

Also, three Police Officers have been summoned to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) during the same period.

Statistics on the SO Police Officers revealed by the Police yesterday show that six Police Officers were summoned to HRCM between 2005 and August 2008; while 18 Police Officers were summoned to HRCM between August 2008 and 7 February 2012.

Also between August 2008 and 7 February 2012 or during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s presidency, 99 SO Police Officers were summoned to PIC and held accountable for their actions.

The Police statistics further show that 60 protests were held in the Maldives between 2005 and August 2008, while 113 protests were held between August 2008 and 7 February 2012.

The number of protests held since the change of government on 7 February 2012 is 74.

Since the change of government, Police used rubber bullets to break up protests once, and riot-gun tear gas on five occasions. During Nasheed’s presidency or between August 2008 and 7 February 2012, on the other hand, tear gas was used 15 times to break up protests.

One Police Officer was injured during the series of protests by the 23 December Coalition which lasted 22 days; while 22 Police Officers were injured in the first 22 days of MDP’s recent Direct Action protests.