No charges to be filed against ‘Lootuvaifi’ rally detainees
The PG Office declined to prosecute seven MDP protesters including former MPs
Some of the individuals arrested during the October 3 rally
The Prosecutor General’s Office has decided not to pursue charges against seven individuals arrested during the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protest held in Malé City on the night of October 3.
According to the PG Office, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) submitted the cases of seven detainees seeking prosecution. Those the police sought to charge include former parliament members Yasir Abdul Latheef and Yaugoob Abdulla, along with Maafushi Council President Hassan Solah, Ali Juman, Azmee Ali, and Hassan Shakir.
The police institution requested charges under Section 532 of the Penal Code for intentionally obstructing the duties of a law enforcement officer, and under Section 533 for obstructing the administration of law. However, the PG Office stated that after reviewing the available evidence, the acts in question were believed to have been committed in the exercise of a fundamental right. With no injuries reported and no property damage resulting from their actions, the office concluded that prosecution would not serve the public interest. As such, the decision was made not to file charges.
Police are still investigating an additional 10 individuals linked to the mass MDP protest. The PG Office said it will make a prosecution decision once that part of the investigation is complete.
Thousands participated in the protest, and when they attempted to march along Majeedhee Magu, police intervened with disproportionate force, deploying pepper spray and, for the first time, using a sonic weapon against the demonstrators.
