PPM protest: 19 protesters released, two remain in custody

Police have released the protesters arrested from a demonstration staged by the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in Male’ City on Tuesday night, except for two.

PPM and coalition partner People’s National Congress (PNC) have launched serial protests in Male’ following the money laundering conviction against the party’s leader, former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

21 protesters were taken into police custody Tuesday night, including PNC deputy leader, Maavah MP Mohamed Saeed.

A police spokesperson told Sun that all protesters, except for two, were released Tuesday night. Those released from police custody include Saeed.

The two protesters who remain in police custody are set to be presented before the court for their remand hearing Wednesday.

PPM spokesperson Heena Waleed described the conviction against Yameen as ‘haram’. She said the opposition coalition had no intention of stopping the serial protests against the ‘haram conviction’.

16 protesters were arrested from the protest Sunday, including 15 men and one woman. All 16 were released the next day. 15 protesters were arrested Monday. They were all released the same night.

Yameen was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development on Sunday. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and imposed with a USD 5 million fine.

The sentence against him had come a year after he was acquitted after getting convicted of similar charges in 2019.