Police disperse youth protest, arrest 2
Police also confirmed the seizure of loudspeakers and the arrest of two individuals identified as organisers of the protest.
Police dispersed a protest by a group of youths in Malé on Thursday night over the fall of 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed from a building on the night of the 18th of this month, stating the demonstration had caused road blockages and disrupted the public, including students preparing for the GCE A/L examinations.
For the eleventh consecutive night, youths gathered near the Sergeant Adam Haleem Criminal Investigation Building on Majeedhee Road. The protest escalated when participants blocked the road and sat in the middle to play table tennis and carrom. Police intervened shortly after midnight.
According to police, pepper spray was used to disperse the crowd, and two individuals believed to be leading the protest were arrested. Loudspeakers used by the protesters were also confiscated.
The demonstrations have taken place nightly since the incident. Protesters have been demanding accountability in connection with Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed’s fall.
Individuals associated with past protests organised by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the People’s National Front (PNF) were observed participating in the demonstration on Thursday.
According to a statement posted by the Maldives Police Service on social media platform X, officers used pepper spray to break up the gathering after repeated warnings were issued to the protestors. Police also confirmed the seizure of loudspeakers and the arrest of two individuals identified as organisers of the protest.
The statement noted that the protest had obstructed Majeedhee Magu, an area police described as an essential route for public movement. Authorities said that activities during the protest included the playing of loud music and games such as table tennis and carrom in the middle of the road.
Police said multiple advisories were issued to the group prior to taking enforcement action. The decision to disperse the protest, according to police, was made in consideration of ongoing complaints from residents and businesses, and the potential impact on students due to sit the GCE A/L examination the following day.
