MDP accuses police of slander, refutes reports of violence
The MDP refuted reports of violent opposition
The flag raised at the Maldivian Democratic Party headquarters in capital city Malé
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the police's claim that the allied opposition parties are organizing a violent movement, denouncing it as slander.
In a statement late Thursday, the party said that the reports of them organizing a violent display of opposition towards the government are false. Reports had surfaced that this would involve razing shops and government offices as well vandalizing private property.
The statement says that the allied opposition parties have always been in support of peaceful demonstrations and condemned the police's 'attempt to slander' them.
The party on Thursday released a statement over the arrest of three senior members, which they described as unlawful as well.
National Council members Ilyas Labeeb and Hassan Ahmed, and Membership and Campaign Committee member Ahmed Shahid were arrested at the office in Malé.
"The three arrests add to a growing list of party officials, MPs, judges, and members of the security forces who have been detained since President Yameen imposed an illegal State of Emergency on 4 February" the statement read.
The party insinuated that the arrests were ordered out of frustration due to the government's inability to quell daily demonstrations calling for President Abdulla Yameen's resignation.
