MDP’s ongoing protests: Police officers accused of assaulting protesters and inciting unrest
Public and opposition figures are strongly condemning the police for obstructing the constitutional right to assembly following reports of heavy-handed tactics, including officers pushing and shoving protesters, which resulted in injuries requiring hospital treatment. During an attempt by demonstrators to move from Janavaree Magu to Majeedhee Magu, a police officer reportedly launched a sudden physical assault on an individual carrying a megaphone; however, the officer acted without the support of his colleagues and eventually left the scene after taunting the crowd. These actions have been denounced as inhumane and a direct violation of fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
MDP’s ongoing protests: A group of police officers attempted to incite unrest and inflict injuries on protesters. | RaajjeMV
It has emerged that during the ongoing series of protests held by the MDP in Male', police officers assaulted protesters on Friday night, with certain elements within the force deliberately attempting to incite unrest.
As on previous nights, the MDP's peaceful protest commenced Friday night in front of the party's main headquarters on Chaandhanee Magu.
Before the protest began, police cordoned off both sides of Chaandhanee Magu with barricades prior to 9:00 p.m. Additionally, all side alleys leading into the area were blocked off. Authorities obstructed the protesters every time they attempted to advance. However, during a moment when police lines were breached, some demonstrators managed to exit Chaandhanee Magu and continued their protest along Majeedhee Magu and various other parts of Male'.
During the protest, several police officers were observed assaulting participants in various ways. Some individuals were shoved to the ground, while reports indicate that certain female officers scratched protesters, causing bleeding injuries. Footage has circulated online showing Abdulla Rasheed, the MDP National Congress President for the Naifaru constituency, with visible scratch marks and bleeding on his arm following the encounter. Additionally, several protesters required hospital treatment for head injuries sustained after being thrown to the pavement by police.
As protesters attempted to move from Janavaree Magu onto Majeedhee Magu, a police officer suddenly attacked an individual carrying a megaphone and attempted to seize it. This action triggered a major confrontation between protesters and the police, resulting in injuries to several others. Notably, the officer who instigated the unrest did not receive support from other officers present at the scene. After briefly taunting the protesters, he left the area.
Opposition groups have strongly condemned recent police actions aimed at obstructing the freedom of assembly and expression guaranteed to Maldivian citizens under the Constitution. The public has also expressed outrage, stating that it is unacceptable for certain police officers to resort to violence and incite instability. They further noted that such conduct reflects a decline in the professional standards of the police institution.
