Former President Mohamed Nasheed has ‘strongly’ condemned the police’s actions towards journalists covering an opposition rally on Friday.
In a tweet posted on Saturday, the self-exiled former President said that ‘he strongly condemned attacks on journalists by Maldives Police Service in yesterday’s protests’.
“They were heavily pepper sprayed, manhandled and beaten up by riot police. Some are still being treated in the hospital,” added Nasheed.
Strongly condemn attacks on journalists by @policemv in yesterday’s protests. They were heavily pepper sprayed, manhandled and beaten up by riot police. Some are still being treated in the hospital. #MaldivesInCrisis pic.twitter.com/aZiL0fbbCW
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 17, 2018
Police had deliberated obstructed journalists covering the Joint Opposition’s rally, which was held across the nation. Officers pushed media crews, and heavily pepper sprayed them at close range, numerous times.
Two journalists were taken into police custody while they were covering the rally, RaajjeTV’s Hussain Hassan and VTV’s Leevaan Ali Nasir. Hassan had to be taken to hospital for treatment, having suffered multiple injuries, both external and internal, after being manhandled by police officers. He had to undergo scans, and be admitted at the hospital for 24 hours for observation.
While Nasir was released at around 3 am, police later said that Hassan will not be arrested.
