Taxi drivers' arrest appealed at High Court

The arrest and detention of two taxi drivers for allegedly blocking the road and obstructing public movement during a protest in Hulhumalé on Wednesday, has been appealed at the High Court.

While a total of three drivers were initially arrested, one was released on conditional bail. The trio have been identified as Mohamed Shamin (39) Ahmed Shabeen (33) and Nouman Ahmed (36). Shaamin and Shabeen were remanded for five days by a local court while Nouman was granted bail.

At a press conference held by Shamin and Shabin's lawyers today, lawyer Aik Ahmed Easa said he did not believe the police had any reason to request such a long remand. Police asked the court to remand the three men in custody for 15 days.

Further, Aik said the remand of Shamin and Shabin has been appealed at the High Court, and that he will work to get the pair released.

While two taxi drivers were arrested, 22 taxis have been towed for blocking roads.

Lawyer Aik said the cars were towed illegally and it is unacceptable to deprive people of their only source of income. He said he would file a case in the Civil Court to seek compensation for the damage caused by the towing, and to get the towed vehicles back.

Taxi drivers protested against the government's plan to introduce a taxi line. However, the Transport Ministry said yesterday that no work has yet started on the government taxi line.

Taxi drivers say the government's involvement in the service will affect drivers as well as taxi centers and garages. Drivers, who are with the existing taxi fleet, are questioning their future, they also said.

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen told the Economic Committee of the Parliament on 29th October that the government needs to intervene in the taxi service and take control of it by making rules and laws. If it is not done, the number of vehicles will go to the point where the city is “overflowing” while safety has already been compromised, he said.

However, Ameen said taxi drivers would not be harmed even if the services were handed over to a government-owned company to provide better taxi services.