MDP rally detainees end hunger strike

The six protestors detained for obstruction from the anti-government rally held by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Friday have ended their hunger strike, say the police.

The main opposition MDP’s ‘Lootuvaifi’ anti-corruption rally kicked off with hundreds of protestors at 09:00 pm Friday from the Artificial Beach in the Henveiru district of Male’. But as the protestors attempted to march along the Majeedhee Magu, the police accused them of diverting from the pre-approved route and blocked their path. Clashes ensued as protestors attempted to force their way through, with the police using pepper spray and sound cannons to control the crowd. Eight protestors were taken into custody, while one suffered a heart attack after reportedly getting pepper-sprayed at close range.

On Saturday, six of them were remanded in custody of the police for 15 days on allegations of “disobeying police orders, obstruction, and damage to police gear.” They are:

• Former Dhaandhoo MP Yaugoob Abdulla
• Former North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
• President of Maafushi Council, Hassan Solah
• Ali Juman, former senior administrative assistant at the President’s Office
• Azeem Ali
• Hassan Shakir

On Tuesday, Fayyaz Ismail, the chairperson of MDP, said that the six detainees, who are being held at the Dhoonidhoo Custodial Jail, had launched a hunger strike over alleged denial of proper medical attention and delays in the investigation.

Shortly after, the police issued a statement confirming the hunger strike, and adding that they were closely monitoring the situation.

The police later issued a statement on Tuesday night saying the detainees had ended their hunger strike. However, they did not say whether they had met the detainees’ demands.

Ahead of Friday’s rally, the police had issued a statement saying they had received intel regarding plans by the MDP to employ criminal groups to escalate the protest and damage property – allegations that were denied by the opposition party. The party also accused the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration of paying gangs to incite violence and escalate a peaceful rally.

Following the police crackdown on the rally, the MDP accused the police of using excessive force on peaceful protestors, accusing them of pepper-spraying protestors at close range and using LRADs despite the serious risks of permanent hearing damage, dizziness, nausea, and other severe health impacts.

The party has said they are exploring possible legal action under the International Convention Against Torture.

However, these allegations are denied by the police, who said protest had been an unlawful gathering, and that officers had acted “with patience and professionalism to disperse the gathering using lawful means.”

The police also added that three officers were injured during the rally, including one female officer who protesters walked over after she fell down with her shield.

They also warned legal action for intimidation over the circulation of photos and videos of individual officers who were part of the crackdown on the rally.

On Tuesday, the police seized the phone of a member of MDP’s national council on allegations threatening police over Facebook.