The government has defended their decision to arrest the two women protesting against Israel and its allies in the Maldives, while the justice system proceeds against the duo, who are now remanded for three days.
Acting in ways that cause disturbance to the ambassadors appointed to the Maldives from various countries is not a victory for Palestine, said Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed yesterday.
His comment comes as two women protesting against Israel's genocide against Palestine, in front of various embassies in the country's capital were arrested yesterday. The two women have been identified as religious scholar Dr. Mohamed Iyaz's wife Aishath Shadhiya, and Dr. Shazra Ibrahim.
Police confirmed their arrest and said that they were arrested for repeatedly gathering near diplomatic embassies, using loudspeakers to create noise, shout and using foul language. They're also accused of acting in a way that caused disturbance to embassies and ambassadors.
Police say the arrest was made after the pair continued with their conduct despite repeated warnings.
Shaheem, along with his statement also shared a video of one of the women placing a cloth resembling a shrouded child corpse in front of an ambassador's residence. It also showed the same woman throwing in documents over the residence's gate.
"It is not [advocating] for Palestine's victory when the boundaries of an ambassador's residence is crossed and garbage is thrown into the property. This is not something that would happen in any country in the world. Those who are there to explain the truth twisting reality is the biggest harm that can be inflicted on Islam," Shaheem wrote.
Upon the arrest of the two women, Adhaalath Party issued a statement condemning the decision. They said that voicing out against countries that aid Israel's atrocities is a responsibility of every individual on a human level, and called for the release of the two women.
While the duo were arrested yesterday, Criminal Court ordered them to be remanded for three days, confirmed police.
As the government defends its decision to arrest the two women, Maldives, has always been loud in the international community in support of Palestine. In fact, a bill has also been sent into the Parliament, which, if passed and implemented, would ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country.
However, the bill has not progressed in the parliament for months, garnering heavy criticism from the public.
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