The police service has denied that officers used brute force during Friday night’s opposition rally, and has told journalists to be more professional.

In a press release on Saturday, the police service claimed opposition members rallied in capital city Male’ on February 16 illegally, and that some journalists at the scene had acted like 'protestors'.

Police service said that some media outlets had spread misleading information during the live coverage.

Police officers had seemingly targeted journalists during Friday’s rally. Some of those covering the demonstration from a far had also been dispersed, and officers were seen using pepper spray liberally. The police brutality was aired live on numerous TV channels.

Officers were also seen using foul language when talking to journalists and ordinary people. Some have also said that officers had touched their private parts.

In the press release, the police service reminded that the right to freedom of assembly is suspended during the state of emergency, and warned that it would not allow any rallies.

However pro-government members have been carrying out demonstrations around the capital city during the state of emergency, with the help and protection of security forces.

The press release from the police service is almost the exact same sentiments voiced by the ruling party’s vice president Abdul Raheem Abdulla at a press conference during the opposition rally on Friday night.