Man in ICU after heart attack during MDP protest

A man is in critical condition after suffering a heart attack during the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s protest in Male' last night.

MDP Hulhumale' Central Constituency Vice President Mohamed Raslaan suffered the heart attack and is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), according to party officials.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) strongly condemned what he described as excessive use of force by police during the protest. He alleged that Raslaan’s condition worsened after officers used pepper spray and deployed a high-pitched Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) during the clashes.

“This kind of injustice to silence the people is proof that a government does not obey the law,” Solih said in a post on X.

The MDP also condemned police actions, saying force was used against peaceful demonstrators.

Police, meanwhile, confirmed that eight people were arrested during the protest but did not comment on Raslaan’s condition.