The six suspects arrested in connection with the riots at the National Stadium on Tuesday which saw the disruption of activities to mark the International Day of Yoga, have been remanded.
Four out of the six individuals arrested by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) in connection with the incident, were remanded by 60 days.
The remaining two were remanded for five days, by the Criminal Court.
Arrested in connection to the case are:
- Mohamed Nadheem, 43 and native to Thulusdhoo island of Kaafu atoll,
- Mohamed Zilyan, 37 and native to Malé City,
- Shaamy Rashad Idress, 30 and registered in Malé City,
- Mohamed Mausoom, 40 and native to Madifushi island of Thaa atoll,
- Mohamed Hussain, 47 and native to Thuraakunu island of Haa Alif atoll,
- Ameen Ahmed, 35 and native to Rathafandhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll.
Out of the six suspects, Nadheem, Mausoom, Hussain and Ameen have been remanded by 60 days, whereas Zilyan and Shaamy have been remanded by five days in police custody.
The case in being probed by the police Serious and Organized Crime Department as a “serious” case.
An online portal has since been established to compile pictures, information and video clips linked to the case.
As such, the public has been urged to submit any information linked to the case if they attain it, throughwww.police.gov.mv/helpus/casetip. The police institution has revealed that the information can be submitted anonymously and that anonymity will be ensured.
The yoga event, organized by the Indian High Commission in Maldives, was joined by foreign diplomats, senior government officials as well as locals including children and elders. The event was disrupted by a group of individuals who stormed into the stadium and demanded for the event to be halted. Physical attacks were also reported alongside vandalism, which caused injuries to some of the participants.
The police institution has since revealed that the supplies including flags were provided to the protestors by the opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). It has been revealed that the flags used in the riots were the same ones used at the political gathering held by the opposition party, at the carnival region. The sound system was also reported to have been provided by PPM. The opposition party has since issued a statement, noting that supplying the flags was “not an issue”.
MPS has assured that the case will be probed as a serious case and that perpetrators will be brought before justice.
The yoga event riot has since made international headlines, with the government having condemned the actions of protestors as well.
As such, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in Twitter post, said that the perpetrators will be brought before justice, “soon”.
