Despite the questionable circumstances under which authorities closed off the road in front on Jumhooree Party (JP)’s headquarters, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has denied the road’s closure had anything to do with there being a certain building there.

Minister Muizzu told RaajjeMV that they decided to commence work on Fandiyaaru Magu on Thursday in order to hasten the work to repair the roads in the capital city.

He further noted that two separate groups are handling the repair work, hence they are able to carry out work on both Majeedhee Magu and Fandiyaaru Magu.

The Minister had previously said that Majeedhee Magu will be the first road to be repaired, and that work on other roads will start after Majeedhee Magu is completed.

Minutes before construction workers arrived at Fandiyaaru Magu, Maldives Police Service (MPS) released a press statement, reminding that protests in Malé can only be held without prior notice at the carnival area, adding that they will stop all gatherings held unlawfully.

The area, exactly in front on Kunooz, was closed off at around 6:30 pm on Friday, not long after JP leader Qasim Ibrahim was taken back to Dhoonidhoo Detention Center after being issued a six-day remand by the Criminal Court. He was arrested on Thursday night, under a court order, accused of attempting to bribe lawmakers and hiding evidence crucial for a police investigation.

While most opposition rallies in Malé are being carried out Kunooz since Qasim joined the reform movement, the opposition coalition claims that the road was closed to obstruct their activities.

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) called on authorities to uphold democratic values, with EU- along with Norway, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States of America guarantees that they will be closely monitoring the respect for fundamental freedom, including freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.