Police raid MDP HQ, accused of planning to upset visiting dignitaries
Certain individuals are planning to carry out activities that could diminish the honour of the visiting dignitaries, said MPS in a statement
Officers raided the MDP's main headquarter on Wednesday evening
Hours after issuing a warning against "carrying out activities that could violate the honour of visiting dignitaries," Maldives Police Service (MPS) entered the main campaign office of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), under a court order.
According to the court order, the party is accused of planning to carryout activities that could upset visiting foreign dignitaries, including King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia.
While officers entered the MDP's main headquarter on Wednesday evening, the whole area was cordoned off during their search for "banners and other such items" from the office. They entered the office based on a report compiled by MPS, notes the order by the Criminal Court.
The officers left more than an hour after entering the office, and were seen carrying out a black plastic bag, and a roll of cloth.
In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday, MPS said that it had received reports that certain individuals "are planning to carry out activities that could diminish the honour and sanctity of the visiting dignitaries, as well as the sovereignty of a nation."
MPS said that it will not, in any capacity, allow such activities, and that required action will be taken against those who attempt to do so.
In an interview with RaajjeTV, MPS media official Ahmed Shifan claimed that the statement was "not a warning to anyone" adding that that the police officers work "with sincerity."
