Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched an investigation into claims that a parliamentarian had assaulted a healthcare worker.

The case was lodged against Dhiggaru constituency MP Ikram Hassan on Friday night.

Ikram is accused of assaulting a healthcare worker who took his sample for Covid-19 testing at the Covid-19 testing center located in Maafannu Madharusa on Friday night.

The parliamentarian took to social media following the reports, denying the accusations against him.

He wrote on Facebook that he had in no way assaulted the healthcare worker, adding that he had “pushed away” the healthcare worker’s hand from near his face after the healthcare worker inserted a nasal swab and vigorously moved it around, because it was painful.

He is to have angrily asserted that workers who take samples so harshly must be not be stationed for the job. He is to have asked the worker for a name to which he did not get a response.

The MP noted that nothing else happened and requested to check CCTV footage if there are any cameras planted there, to check what really happened.

Ikram stated that he had previously given samples at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) as well, adding that it was done very gently.

He further noted that he does not have a criminal record for assault and asserted his belief that samples for Covid-19 testing can be taken more gently.

Further details regarding the investigation launched in connection to the case have not been shared.