Police aggressively attempted to disperse crowd: MDP

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has accused the Police of using excessive force to disperse the ongoing protest. 

Protesters set out from Artificial Beach intending to march down Majeedhee Magu, but were obstructed by Police cordons. 

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan shared a post on X where he stated that MDP's protest can no longer be considered a peaceful gathering. 

MDP responded to the post stating that Police had aggressively attempted to disperse the protest through indiscriminate use of pepper spray and riot gear. 

"Minister Ihusan's tweet is a blatant lie, and a thinly veiled attempt to justify the brutal violence being employed by the police," MDP stated. 

Ihusan's post had included a video showing a protester walking through the crowd carrying a Police riot shield. He wrote, "Forcibly taking equipment from an on-duty police officer is not considered a peaceful activity, as it involves coercive or violent actions that disrupt law enforcement duties". 

Police, meanwhile, have issued a statement accusing MDP of breaching the pre-approved protest route. They noted that protesters were repeatedly cautioned against marching down Majeedhee Magu, which falls outside the designated route. 

Police said that protesters defied orders, hurling objects such as water bottles and rocks at officers, attempting to seize police equipment, and obstructed police duties. 

They stated that legal action will be taken against those that committed these acts. Police appealed to protesters to refrain from obstructing law enforcement duties. 

According to Police, the approved route for the protest is on Boduthakurufaanu Magu and Ameenee Magu.