Three arrested from Tuesday’s protest, including mayor, released

Police have released the protesters arrested from the demonstration staged by the opposition coalition in Male’ City on Tuesday night, including the Male’ city mayor.

The opposition coalition, composed of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), has launched serial protests in Male’ following the money laundering conviction against the opposition’s presidential candidate, former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Total three protestors were arrested Tuesday night, including Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the deputy leader of PPM.

All three have been released from police custody.

The opposition coalition began its protest in the Majeedhee Magu-Sosun Magu junction, outside the ADK Hospital. Some of the protestors wore black shirts with ‘Free President Yameen’ printed on it.

Yameen was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development on December 25. 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.