Police on Friday revealed that they had arrested total 23 people from the opposition protest held Thursday night, and that none of the detainees has been released yet.
Among those arrested were Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed "Muhamma" Abdulla, Jumhoory Party's Women's League president Waleedha Waleedh and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Women's Spirit secretary Aishath Waheedha.
Superintendent of Police Ahmed Shifan told Mihaaru that all 23 were arrested from the protest for obstructing the duties of law enforcement officers. He did not disclose further details on the charges.
Maldives Police Service declared that protesters who take to the streets to "topple the government" were obstructing businesses and being public nuisances. The police urged everyone to refrain from taking part in politically motivated unlawful activities.
Meanwhile, the opposition maintains that their activities during the rallies against the government were legal and within the framework of the Constitution.
Members and supporters of the joint opposition have been holding a series of protests ever since the government refused to comply with the Supreme Court's shocking verdict of February 1 to release political prisoners and reinstate unseated legislators. In the wake of the state of emergency the government had declared following the ruling, the police have arrested several individuals including former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed of the top court, and a number of politicians.
The opposition has another rally planned for Friday evening. However, the police have declared that the protests would be broken up.
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