Maldives Police Service (MPS) has warned the public of legal action, if they continue to take matters into their own hands in connection with criminal cases.

Stressing that the issue of members of the general public taking matters into their own hands and attacking persons suspected of carrying out criminal offences, in the name of “seeking justice”, against the legal mandate is concerning, the police institution revealed that henceforth, legal action will be taken against individuals who obstruct law enforcement and carry out such acts.

This comes at a time a video has been circulating on social media, showing a man being cornered by angry spectators, who verbally and physically assaulted him after accusing him of molesting a minor.

The video shows spectators “screaming” at the man to confess to the crime and to spill the details of his crime.

In a Twitter post, the police institution highlighted that Maldivian laws and regulations have been compiled with the justified punishments and penalties for criminal offences and also how investigations into criminal cases are required to be carried out.

With this being said, the police institution stressed that the issue of the general public resorting to violence and taking matters into their own hands in the name of seeking justice against suspects, is concerning.

These acts also hinder societal peace and harmony, said the institution.

Urging the public to refrain from this in the future, MPS has assured that they will investigate such cases and serve justice as mandated legally.

Of recent, members of the general public have been exposing individuals suspected and accused of stealing, theft and other petty crimes as well as more serious allegations such as child abuse and domestic violence, on social media.