MDP condemns crackdown on 'peaceful gathering'

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has heavily condemned the crackdown on its gathering on Tuesday night.

In a press statement following the police’s disbandment and barricading of the party’s main offices, MDP said the officers’ actions were illegal.

The party had highlighted its adherence to the laws on Freedom of Assembly, adding that the gathering had been peaceful.

The statement also noted that a gathering conducted by the ruling party – that had closed-off roads in the heavily populated capital city – being allowed to continue is a sign of tyranny.

Officers of the police’s special operations unit had on Tuesday night arrested the party’s chairperson and used pepper-spray on supporters and journalists.

READ MORE: Police crackdown on opposition gathering