Police have questioned South-Galolhu MP Ahmed Mahloof for allegedly giving out masks at the February 22 protest.

MP Mahloof’s lawyer Nazim Abdul Sattar told RaajjeTV that he is being accused of obstructing police duties, gathering at a prohibited area and creating disorder, and hindering road traffic.

The parliamentarian's lawyer said that Mahloof was at the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s rallying site at the time of the arrest and not hindering traffic or bystanders.

Mahloof had also denied encouraging any violence, said the lawyer, adding that Mahloof said he 'did not give out masks to obstruct police duties'.

Lawyer Nazim added that when looking at the arrest procedure, it was not clear whether Mahloof was arrested under the ongoing state of emergency procedures or not.