Injuries sustained by Maimoon and Hassan serious: "Taken for medical treatment nearly two hours after arrest at protest"
Lawyers have alleged that MDP National Congress member Ibrahim Rasheed and Youth Wing Vice President Ahmed Maimoon were subjected to police brutality following their arrest during an MDP protest. Both individuals reportedly sustained serious injuries due to the use of excessive force by officers, yet they were only transported to the hospital for medical treatment after being held in police custody for two hours.
Ibrahim Rasheed Hassan, a member of the MDP National Council, and Ahmed Maimoon, Vice President of the MDP Youth Wing, who were arrested during an MDP protest. | RaajjeMV | Raajje MV
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has stated that several individuals arrested during Saturday night's protest—part of an ongoing series of demonstrations—sustained serious injuries.
Two individuals were arrested during Saturday night's protest: Ibrahim Rasheed Hassan (Vaavaa), a member of the party's National Congress, and Ahmed Maimoon, the Vice President of the MDP Youth Wing. Maimoon was apprehended on Chaandhanee Magu. He was placed under police custody and escorted away in handcuffs.
National Congress member Hassan was arrested from the vicinity of the People’s Majlis secretariat. Speaking to RaajjeMV, legal counsel Mohamed Nishan Ibrahim stated that those detained during the protest were taken into custody using disproportionate force. Nishan further noted that both Maimoon and Hassan sustained serious injuries as a result of the heavy-handed police action. The two individuals were transported for medical treatment at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Saturday night.
"It took nearly two hours before medical treatment was provided. This only happened after the pressure became overwhelming and there were no other options left. The police acted in a highly unprofessional manner," Nishan said.
Nishan stated that Maumoon sustained a four-inch head wound during his arrest by the police. Nishan further noted that Hassan is struggling to stand upright due to injuries sustained during his apprehension.
Following their arrest, the two individuals were initially taken to the Henveiru Police Station. They were transported to the hospital after being detained at the station for approximately two hours.
Sources have informed this newspaper that Maimoon is experiencing dizziness following a head injury, along with anxiety and breathing difficulties. Meanwhile, Hassan had to be transported for medical treatment in a wheelchair as he was unable to stand.
Concerns are mounting over the police's use of excessive force as they continue to obstruct the ongoing series of protests organized by the MDP.
