Police arrest MP Ameeth and stop opposition rally

Maduvarri MP Mohamed Ameeth has been arrested at a rally on Sunday calling on authorities to hold a free and fair election.

Police arrested the lawmaker near the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) office and blocked others from moving forward with the rally.

Opposition members held the rally to also call for the release of political prisoners.

Police officers on both sides blocked protesters from leaving the MDP office area and Special Operations officers came in to arrest Ameeth in front of the office door for no declared reason.

Lawmakers and leaders of the opposition coalition parties, who were also at the rally, have expressed concern over Ameeth’s arrest.

Later that night, Ameeth tweeted he has been released from police custody.

The rally comes after the European Union announced that it would be voting on whether to sanction the Maldives government on Monday over the worsening human rights and political situation in the country.