Riot police deployed as youth protests intensify
Leading the front lines of the MDP abrupt gathering were members of MDP's National Congress and senior activists of the party
Riot police dispatched to three regions of the capital city where protests were unfolding on the night of 26-04-2025
With three protests held on Saturday night alone in different regions of the capital Malé City against the government, riot police have been deployed to the streets.
Riot police first dispersed onto the streets on Saturday night when participants of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s abrupt gathering tried to move towards Hilaaleege from Orchid Magu. When the participants of the MDP rally were stopped in an area of Orchid Magu where the former Salsa Café was located, riot police followed behind the team of Maldives Police Service (MPS) officers to the location.
In addition to the abrupt protest held by MDP in Malé City on Saturday night, the series of protests being led by youth also continued on Majeedhee Magu on Saturday night. That protest has been held routinely for four consecutive nights.
Further, taxi drivers also protested near Maandhooge Dhekunuge, the residence of Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, calling for their rights.
Demanding an end to violence, corruption, nepotism, and family rule, participants of MDP's abrupt gathering saw participants raising their voices in different regions of the capital city. Protesters from the MDP main campaign site headed towards a gathering near Mulee’aage from Alikileygefaanu Magu. However, police blocked the protesters in the region. Afterwards, participants of the abrupt gathering, along with taxi drivers, also raised their voices near Maandhooge Dhekunuge.
Leading the front lines of the MDP abrupt gathering were members of MDP's National Congress and senior activists of the party. After a series of 13 protests during Ramadan, MDP has held four nights of protests in the capital city this month.
