Police say force used as allowed by law
Journalists at the rally reported incidents of police violence, including pepper spray used directly on protesters and deliberate assaults.
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Police said they used force as provided in the law during the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally ‘Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi’ held in Malé on Friday. The rally was dispersed after police declared that participants had acted in violation of the protest agreement.
Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) was deployed to disperse the rally, and protesters later reported health problems. Lawyers have expressed concern over the use of the device, stating it is not authorised for crowd control. Police issued a statement on Saturday addressing these concerns.
According to the statement, the rally had been permitted along Ameenee Magu, but protesters attempted to march along Majeedhee Magu instead. Police said they repeatedly advised against the breach and reported incidents of clashes with officers and the removal of barricades.
“The police used force to stop the rally within the scope of the legal powers and authority conferred on the police by Law No. 34/2020 (Police Service Act) and the regulations made under that Act,” the statement read.
The statement added that the force used was permitted under the ‘Regulation on the Acquisition and Carrying of Arms’ and the ‘Regulation on the Conduct of Police in the Exercise of Powers and Discretion.’ Police did not specify which rules authorised the use of the LRAD but said all actions taken were permitted.
Journalists at the rally reported incidents of police violence, including pepper spray used directly on protesters and deliberate assaults.
One protester suffered a heart attack during the dispersal.
