Shahid, Fayyaz condemn police brutality against youth protesters

President of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Abdulla Shahid and the party’s Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail have strongly condemned the Maldives Police Service (MPS) for disrupting the protest held by youth calling for 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, and for using force and violence against the young protesters.

Police infiltrated the peaceful protest held by youth on Thursday night, without warning. They used pepper spray, assaulted the youth, and arrested two leading protesters. Severak other protesters also suffered multiple injuries.

Condemning the police for obstructing and assaulting the peaceful protest using disproportionate force, MDP President Shahid took to social media platform ‘X’, claiming that that Mahzoom and Shiman, who were leading the protest, were arrested while calling on the government not to make further mistakes.

Shahid said the youth were arrested on the eighth day of the movement led by youth, which began to call for increased accountability in the judiciary and for necessary measures to be taken regarding a tragic case that has disturbed the entire nation. He said that although the protests were continuing peacefully, there were concerns about the level of force being used by the police.

Shahid said that silencing protesters will not bring stability and that it will lead to a loss of trust and increased unrest. He also called for the immediate release of the two arrested youth.

Regarding the issue of police using force and violence against the youth protesters, MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail also strongly condemned the violent and unjust attack by the government on peaceful protesters on Thursday night. He said this was shameful and that the show of force reveals the true colors of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, which clearly does not accept a democratic government or the rights hard-won and enshrined in the constitution.

Fayyaz said that obstructing the peaceful workers' march and targeting Thursday night's youth protest is a blatant violation of the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and protest. He said such actions are not only unacceptable but are dangerous signs rooted in an authoritarian regime.

Fayyaz demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those unlawfully arrested. He said the government must respect the people's right to peaceful protest and provide space for democratic expression without fear of violence or repression.

He said freedom of expression cannot be silenced through violence, and President Muizzu should know this by now. Fayyaz stated that he stands with the youth.