Police warn of legal action against intimidation of officers over MDP protest

The Maldives Police Service has said it will take legal action against individuals who are intimidating police officers and their family members following the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protest held in Male on Friday night.

Images and personal details of officers involved in dispersing the protest, including one officer operating a loud acoustic device, have been circulating widely on social media since the demonstration.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, police said appropriate legal measures would be taken against any person whose behaviour constitutes harassment, hate speech or intimidation, including acts carried out on social media platforms.

“Any unauthorised action taken by officers of this service in order to obstruct the performance of their official duties will be subject to the strictest action,” the statement said.

The police also stated that any attempt to obstruct law enforcement, whether through physical interference or other means, would be met with legal consequences.

The MDP protest, which began at Artificial Beach, was halted by police after protesters attempted to proceed along Majeedhee Magu instead of Ameenee Magu, which had been designated as the approved route.

During the protest, police used pepper spray and a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to disperse the crowd. Eight people were arrested on charges of obstructing police officers. Two were later released, while six were remanded in custody for 15 days and transferred to Dhoonidhoo Jail.

Police alleged that protesters threw stones and bottles at officers and removed barricades during the confrontation, resulting in injuries to three policemen.