Seven more suspects arrested in connection with Yoga Day riots
Arrested on June 23 were Ahmed Ali, 26 and Mohamed Zeeshan Nasir, 30, both native to Malé City
Six individuals were arrested earlier, in connection with the incident
Seven more suspects have been 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.
Disclosing the identities of the newly arrested suspects, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that they have since been remanded upon being presented to the Criminal Court for their remand hearing.
Police revealed that the seven were arrested, accused of disrupting the Yoga Day activities by locals and some foreign diplomats who took part in the event, spreading fear and inciting violence as well as vandalism.
Arrested on June 23 were Ahmed Ali, 26 and Mohamed Zeeshan Nasir, 30, both native to Malé City.
The latter has been remanded by five days, with Ahmed Ali being given 10 days in remand.
Further, police arrested Ibrahim Zihan, 25 and native of Velidhoo island of Noonu atoll, Ali Mirushad, 31 and native of Maalhos island of Alif Alif atoll, Mohamed Shan, 32 and native of Mundoo island in Laamu atoll, Abdulla Niyaz, 41 and native of Malé City, Ali Mohamed, 36 and native of Thimarafushi island in Thaa atoll, on June 24.
All five were remanded by 45 days upon being presented to the Criminal Court.
A total of 19 individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident so far.
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.
The Maldives 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”.
