Out of the 10 individuals arrested during the protest held in Malé last night calling for the release of jailed journalists, the court has extended the detention of three people and released the remaining seven.

According to members of the MDP legal team, the detention of Shammoon Jaleel (Lucas), well-known as an MDP social media activist, was extended by 10 days. The detention of two other individuals was also extended; one received five days, while the other was given three days.

The group originally arrested included eight men and two women.

The protest, led by MDP last night, was sparked after the Criminal Court sentenced two journalists from Adhadhu news to jail last Tuesday for contempt of court. As the protest, headed by former President Mohamed Nasheed and members of the MDP Parliamentary Group, moved through various locations in Malé to voice their demands, intermittent confrontations occurred between the protesters and the police.

During the protest last night, former President Mohamed Nasheed stated that they would protest every night for the rights of journalists.