MPs Ameeth and Abdulla released

Maduvvari constituency MP Ahmed Ameeth and South-Thinadhoo constituency MP Abdulla Ahmed have been released from custody, after being arrested from an opposition protest earlier in the evening.

Both were released around four hours after arrest, along with another arrestee, activist Ali “Step Ayya” Shahid.

In a tweet sent after being released, MP Abdulla said that an arrest will not change his objective, and that he will remain steadfast in the opposition’s work, to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

MP Ameeth also announced his release via twitter.

Opposition protests were held across the nation on Friday evening. Protesters continue to call for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s initial ruling on 1st February, releasing nine political prisoners and reinstating 12 opposition parliamentarians who were previously unseated by the Elections Commission. They also called for the resignation of incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, who refused to implement the ruling, and had instead declared a state of emergency in the country.

Galolhu-South constituency MP Ahmed Mahloof was arrested from an opposition rally on Thursday night, under the state of emergency declaration. Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed were also arrested under the decree, hours after it was declared on 5th February.