GA Villingili Council has been suspended for releasing a statement against the police’s assault against RaajjeTV journalist Hussain Hassan.

Hussain, a native of Villingili, was arrested and abused while covering an opposition rally on February 16.

Local Government Authority (LGA) in a letter to Villingili Council’s president Shuzma Mohamed, said that the five council members have been suspended without pay for a month for acting outside of the powers given to the council by the Maldives decentralization laws.

Villingili Council’s statement was released on February 17 with signatures from all the members.

LGA stated that the council’s statement was released after authorities cleared up the issue and before investigations were done. Therefore, LGA said it has suspended the council for a month, and that within that period members are banned from entering the council office and carrying out any of their duties.

LGA warned that a repeat of the offense would result in a High Court case to dissolve the council.

Due to the assault, Hussain had to seek treatment in Sri Lanka.