RaajjeTV has said that the continued assaults on journalists covering political rallies will only damage the reputation and image of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and force the people to lose their trust in the institution.

In a statement released on Sunday, RaajjeTV condemned the violent arrest of its journalist Murshid Abdul Hakeem on Saturday night, while he was covering an opposition rally in the capital Malé City.

“During his arrest on Saturday night, police officers tackled and pinned Murshid to the ground, handcuffed and dragged him in front of a number of eyewitnesses. Murshid was arrested while he was following the orders being given by the officers active in dispersing the crowd gathered near Artificial Beach on Saturday night,” reads the statement.

It said that after dragging him away “from the cameras and eye-witnesses”, some officers had told him that they “will beat (him) if needed”, adding that “no institution or uniform authorizes anyone the right to use unrestrained, excessive force against any individual”.

RaajjeTV further said that despite press freedom being guaranteed by the Constitution, even during a state of emergency, “police officers continue to target media crews covering rallies; obstructing journalists and crew purposely, manhandling and pepper spraying them at close range”.

“In addition, journalists are being arrested while doing their jobs,” said RaajjeTV.

The station also noted that “attacks directed towards journalists from RaajjeTV continue to increase,” and highlighted that another journalist from the station was also assaulted during an arrest a few weeks ago.

Video footage of RaajjeTV journalist Hussain Hassan being carried out from the police headquarters into a police vehicle, to be taken to hospital, went viral on social media. Due to the police’s assaults; he had to be sent abroad for further tests and treatment.