"Those responsible for the incident behind the yoga event will be swiftly brought before the law"

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the those responsible for the incident that took place during the International Yoga Day event in Male' City will be swiftly brought before the law.

In a tweet following the incident, President Solih assured that this incident is being treated as a matter of serious concern.

President Solih highlighted that an investigation has already been launched into the incident, by Maldives Police Service.

MPS disclosed that six people were arrested in connection with the incident and assured that the institution will be conducting further investigations in relations with the incident.

The yoga event was being held at the National Football Stadium, in Male' City with nearly 150 participants. They include diplomats and government officers, as well as many local and foreign fitness enthusiasts. The High Commissioner of India to Maldives and the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Maldives were also in attendance , so were some senior government officials.

Protestors literally ran into the stadium while the event was going on, and demanded the event be stopped and participants to leave the place. The protestors also physically attacked some people and vandalized properties. According to the organizers, some participants were even injured by the attacks.

Many of the protestors were also seen storming in and pulling out the Maldivian National Flags, hoisted at the stadium.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) responded with anti-riot measures and later used pepper spray and tear gas to control the crowd and secure the area.

Earlier, the protesters brandished placards proclaiming that yoga was against the tenets of Islam.

Some sources report that, members of the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) were also seen among the protestors.