No charges against 7 arrested in MDP protest
The PGO further said there was no reported injury or property damage resulting from the incident.
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Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) on Tuesday said it would not file charges against seven people arrested from the opposition MDP protest in Male on October 3.
PGO said the police have submitted chargesheets against the group, while investigations continue into 10 other individuals linked to the protest.
According to the PGO, the seven arrested were:
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1-
Hussain Shakir
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2-
Former MP Yoosuf Abdulla
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3-
Former MP for Kulhudhufushi North Yasir Abdul Latheef
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4-
K. Maafushi Council President Hassan Solah
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5-
Azim Ali
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6-
Ali Juman
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7-
Mohamed Halaf Ibrahim
Police had forwarded two charges against the suspects: intentionally obstructing the work of a law enforcement officer and obstruction of law enforcement.
However, the PGO said it decided not to prosecute the seven, noting that the actions under review were believed to have occurred in the exercise of a fundamental right. The PGO further said there was no reported injury or property damage resulting from the incident.
Police are continuing the investigation involving 10 additional individuals. The PGO stated that decisions on further prosecution will be made once that part of the inquiry is completed.
Earlier, police faced criticism for the use of pepper spray and sonic devices to disperse the protest. Police said the demonstration was dispersed after protesters attempted to leave Majeedhee Magu against instructions, and after some participants attempted to seize police equipment and threw stones and water bottles at officers.
