Police have obstructed a protest involving three former presidents and a large number of civilians, resulting in multiple arrests
Despite police efforts to block protesters from gathering at the Rasfannu area, participants successfully held a demonstration along Boduthakurufaanu Magu to voice their grievances. The protest, which called for the immediate release of detained journalists, highlights growing concerns over the government's continued attempts to obstruct freedom of assembly and press freedom.
From the protest held on Friday night.
Police intervened and arrested several individuals during a demonstration held by supporters following a meeting between three former presidents—Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih—on Friday night.
This demonstration was organized to demand the immediate release of imprisoned journalists.
As the marchers, who began their demonstration near West Park, attempted to move toward Rasfannu, police in riot gear used shields to block the three former presidents and their supporters from advancing. Despite Rasfannu being a designated area where protests are permitted without prior authorization under recent legal amendments, police cordoned off both sides of Boduthakurufaanu Magu, effectively obstructing the demonstration.
Despite the restrictions, protesters marched along Boduthakurufaanu Magu toward the Ekuveni Cricket Ground, demanding the immediate release of imprisoned journalists. Police forcibly dispersed the crowd, arresting at least five individuals and confiscating the loudspeakers used during the demonstration.
The primary demand of the protest was the immediate release of *Adhadhu* journalists Mohamed Shahuzaan and Leevan Ali Nasir, who are currently in detention. This follows a similar demonstration led by the MDP on Thursday night, during which police deployed pepper spray without prior warning and took one individual into custody.
On Friday afternoon, a large number of journalists staged a protest demanding the release of their imprisoned colleagues. However, acting on government orders, police intervened to obstruct the demonstration.
