Police officers have confiscated a large opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) flag in L Maamendhoo island.

This was after a group of youths hoisted the flag 40 feet high on top of a tree after officers took down MDP flags in other islands.

A senior party member earlier said they hoisted the flag as a way to say ‘no’ to President Abdulla Yameen.

Officers have been taking down opposition flags in the islands, even ones tied on top of trees, after claiming that the flags were hoisted higher than the national flag in the island, which is illegal. This regulation was enacted by the ruling party, and some MDP members say that its sole purpose is to take down the party flags.