"Measured intervention with maximum restraint’ used to disperse journalists’ protest: Police

Maldives Police Service has denied allegations of excessive force in dispersing a protest by journalists near Parliament, saying officers acted with restraint and in line with operational protocols.

The protest was staged on Tuesday during an extraordinary sitting of Parliament in opposition to the newly passed Media Bill. Following the incident, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) filed a complaint with the National Integrity Commission (NIC), alleging police misconduct and the use of unnecessary force.

In a statement issued today, police said that throughout the operation officers “acted strictly in line with operational protocols, applying only the minimum force necessary to preserve order and safeguard both demonstrators and law enforcement officers.”

The statement further noted that some images circulating in the media were “taken at selective angles” and created a misleading impression of events. Police maintained that the operation was conducted with “maximum restraint and professionalism.”

While denying the use of excessive force, police confirmed that a review of officers’ actions during the protest has been initiated.

Several journalists and members of the public were reported injured in the incident. One journalist was taken into custody but later released.

Several journalists and members of the public were reported injured in the incident. One journalist was taken into custody but later released.