The remand period for six suspects arrested in connection with the riots at the National Stadium on June 21 which saw the disruption of activities to mark the International Day of Yoga, has been extended.
Most recently arrested in connection with the case are Mohamed Ismail, 48 and native of Hoarafushi island of Haa Alif atoll, Ibrahim Razzan, 32 and native of Hithadhoo district of Addu City, Adam Nishan, 38 and native of Maamendhoo island of Laamu atoll, Ahmed Nasooh, 26 native of Maamendhoo island in Gaaf Alif atoll, Abdulla Rifau, 31 native of Thimarafushi island of Thaa atoll and Fazloon Mohamed, 33 and native of Milandhoo island of Shaviyani atoll.
The Criminal Court had remanded Nasooh and Rifau by 60 days when they were presented for their remand hearing.
A five-day remand was imposed on Mohamed Ismail and Razzan, with Nishan and Fazloon being remanded for seven days in police custody.
A total of 12 individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident so far.
The six men were also arrested initially on the day of the incident . They are Mohamed Nadheem, 43 native of Thulusdhoo island of Kaafu atoll, Mohamed Zilyan, 37 native of Malé City, Shaamy Rashad Idrees, 30 registered in Malé City, Mohamed Mausoom, 40 native of Madifushi island of Thaa atoll, Mohamed Hussain, 47 native of Thuraakunu island of Haa Alif atoll and Ameen Ahmed, 35 native of Rathafandhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll.
Out of the six suspects, Nadheem, Mausoom, Hussain and Ameen were remanded by 60 days, whereas Zilyan and Shaamy were 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 by the Maldives police Service to collect 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. Maldives Police Service has said that the information can be submitted anonymously and that anonymity of those who submit them 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 the event to be halted. Physical attacks were also reported alongside vandalism, which caused injuries to some of the participants.
TheMaldives Police Service 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 area. 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” by itself.
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, while the government also strongly condemned the actions of the protestors .
As such, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a Twitter post, said that the perpetrators will be brought before justice, “soon”.
