The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that two individuals were taken into police custody during a youth protest held on Thursday night, under allegations of obstructing law enforcement and disobeying police orders.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’, the police institution revealed that Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, 28 of Bageechage / N. Kudafari and Aishath Shiman Ahmed, 19 of M. Hasthee / capital Malé City were taken into police custody in connection with the protest held by youth in the capital city on Thursday night.

As such, Mahzoom was taken into custody on suspicion of obstructing police duties, disobeying orders, and attempting to assault a police officer. Shiman was taken into custody on suspicion of disobeying police orders and obstructing duties.

While participants of the “Dhuleh Nukuraanan” which roughly translates to "Won't Let This Go" protest were peacefully demonstrating on Majeedhee Magu, police officers obstructed the protest, assaulted participants, and used pepper spray.

Shiman and Mahzoom were taken into police custody during the unrest that ensued when police approached them while they were peacefully protesting and attempted to create disturbances.

However, no footage shows either of these two individuals obstructing police duties or displaying disobedience. Footage shows Mahzoom being thrown to the ground and his shirt being torn when he was arrested. The footage shows that Shiman and Mahzoom were arrested without a valid reason. Mahzoom is also a lawyer who is actively involved in the youth movement seeking justice for 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed who was found fallen from the ninth floor of H. Fentenoy, onto the roof of an adjacent warehouse in the early hours of April 18.

The footage also shows that Mahzoom was arrested by being thrown to the ground and handcuffed.

Shiman was also arrested using police force, and footage shows her stating that she was being hurt during the arrest.

Calls have been made in various streets of Malé City demanding the immediate release of Shiman and Mahzoom.