Six people including an Atoll Councilor have been arrested from Alifu Alifu atoll Ukulhas island over making a "grave" on the road after a top opposition activist shifted to ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
A Police team made the arrest on charges of doing black magic and sorcery.
A member of Ukulhas Island Council, Ali Zameer, said that main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s supporters had slammed the top MDP activist after he signed to PPM. Hence, a grave was made in the middle of a road with sand to symbolise the former MDP member's name being deleted from the party register.
He said that nothing the likes of black magic or sorcery had been practised. Councilor Zameer added that the grave was made during an MDP campaign dinner.
“When police asked about the campaign activity, we replied that it was a small prank done by some youngsters.”
No one repudiated Police's orders to demolish the grave. Police had left the scene after taking pictures.
Police arrested seven people late Sunday, including the Vice President of Alif Alif Atoll Council, Moosa Naseem.
Meanwhile, MDP has condemned the arrests and described it as a threatening action by the government.