Seven individuals, including former MP Mauroof, charged in connection with MDP's "Lootuvaifi" rally
They have been charged under Section 532 of the Maldives Penal Code for intentionally obstructing a law enforcement officer in the performance of their duties.
Mauroof Zakir, Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency. | RaajjeMV | Raajje MV
The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed charges against seven individuals, including Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, Mauroof Zakir, in connection with the "Lootuvaifi" (Plundered) protest organized by the MDP on the night of October 3, 2025.
Individuals charged in the case:
- Abdul Salaam
- Mohamed Hamaid Abdul Ghanee
- Ali Naufal
- Mauroof Zakir
- Aishath Najudha Ali
- Ali Muavvaz
- Fathimath Zahiyya
- Hussain Rasheed
They have been charged with the offense of intentionally obstructing a law enforcement officer under Section 532(a) of Law No. 9/2014 (Maldives Penal Code). The charges were formally filed in court on February 26, 2026.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, seven additional individuals were implicated in the case. However, their cases have been sent back to the Maldives Police Service due to insufficient evidence to pursue charges and a lack of public interest in prosecution.
The Prosecutor General’s Office further stated that its policy regarding prosecutions related to protests is to proceed if there is evidence of physical injury to a person or damage to property. Additionally, charges will be filed if there is evidence that an individual’s actions created a situation where such injury or property damage was likely to occur, as such cases are deemed to be in the public interest to prosecute.
In a post on X regarding the matter, Mauroof stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu must accept the reality that bringing charges against him will not obstruct the MDP’s campaign for the upcoming local council elections. Mauroof further emphasized that the President must also acknowledge that the public will not grant him their approval in the proposed referendum.
To disperse one of the largest protests in recent history, police deployed pepper spray and a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), a specialized tool that emits high-pitched sound waves. The Muizzu administration has come under heavy fire for the use of what many describe as excessive force to break up the demonstration.
