Two taxi drivers who were remanded for five days for obstructing public transport during a protest in Hulhumale' on Wednesday night have been granted conditional release.
According to a police official speaking to Mihaaru News, the two men, Mohamed Shaamin (39) from Male' and Ahmed Shabeen (33) from Laamu Dhanbidhoo, were released following a court hearing.
Another taxi driver, Nooman Ahmed (36) from Haa Dhaalu Kumundhoo, was also arrested during the protest for blocking the road but was granted conditional release on the same day of his arrest.
However, Misbah, the organising secretary of the drivers' association, was arrested under a court order three days after the protest and remains in custody. His remand period of five days, is set to expire on Thursday.
During the protest, police towed 22 taxis that had been parked in a single line on the road, reportedly causing significant congestion and disrupting public traffic. While drivers denied blocking the road, their actions, including parking in the middle of the street and stepping out of their vehicles created heavy congestion that night.