Blocking Presidents motorcade: 2 arrestees released

The Criminal Court on Sunday ordered the release of two arrested in connection to to the deliberate blockage of the president’s motorcade last week. 

The court ordered the release of Ahmed Sinaan (Ga. Dhehvadhoo / Astonvilla) and Mariyam Maasha (Sh. Bilehfahi / Shadycorner). 

Both were charged with disrupting public disorder, obstructing a law enforcement officer as well as obstructing the enforcement of law. 

In the court order granting them release, it was stated that how the incident unfolded based on the snapshots submitted by the Police, there is little room for the crime being repeated. Moreover it said that granting a conditional release would lower the risk to public disorder, and there was also no legal grounds to further hold them in custody.

Hence, Judge Mohamed Misbah granted both conditional releases. 

While a total of five were arrested for this case, currently only three remain in custody. 

The incident in took place on the night of March 20, near the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) headquarters in Male’ City. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s motorcade was traveling en route to Muliaage after an event in Hulhumale’, when it’s path crossed with PPM protestors. 

Some of the protestors surrounded the motorcade and prevented its passage. They were able to block and hold the motorcade for a good 15 minutes. 

Four people were arrested in connection to the case the next day. A fifth arrest was made in the case on Friday. 

This situation sparked concerns over the adequacy of the security provided to the president, and led to the suspension of the president’s security unit’s commander Colonel Abdulla Ibrahim. 

An investigation has been launched by the Parliament’s Security Services Committee (241 Committee) as a serious issue.