Among arrested taxi drivers, Shaameen and Shabeen released
Lawyers stated that the detained drivers pose no further threat to society
Two taxi drivers were arrested during the taxi drivers' protest
Mohamed Shaameen and Ahmed Shabeen have been released from among the taxi drivers who were arrested for protesting and expressing concerns over the government's preparations to provide taxi services. Shaameen and Shabeen, who were arrested for protesting on the highway area between Hulhumalé and Malé, were released on Tuesday with conditions.
The two drivers were released after being detained for five days, on the condition that they cooperate with the police, refrain from engaging in such activities, and do not commit any illegal acts. They were released when their remand period ended, upon being presented to the Criminal Court for an extension of their remand. The Maldives Police Service (MPS) had requested a 15-day extension.
However, the lawyers stated that the detained drivers pose no further threat to society, and the police could not explain how these drivers could influence police statements.
Of the drivers arrested in connection with the protest held in Hulhumalé last Wednesday, all have now been released except for Misbah Shareef. Misbah, who also serves as the organizing secretary of the Drivers Association, was arrested at some point on Friday night.
The Taxi Drivers Association has also called for the immediate release of the arrested drivers and the towed taxis.
The association has stated that arresting drivers and towing cars causes significant financial damage to the drivers and is an act of cruelty. Drivers earlier stated that the police towed the taxis without any warning and in violation of the regulations for towing.
Taxi drivers in the Malé region protested due to dissatisfaction with the government's policies regarding taxi services, and after failing to receive a satisfactory solution despite bringing their concerns to the government's attention. MPS launched an operation to seize taxis involved in the protest on the night of December 11 along the Hulhumalé Highway region, churning a significant escalation in the standoff.
The taxi driver claimed that no government in the history of the Maldives has ever harassed people in the taxi industry to this extent.
