Man arrested after resident begins hunger strike over years of harassment

Police have arrested a man accused of harassing residents and pedestrians in a neighbourhood of Malé for the past one and a half years, following a hunger strike staged by a resident outside the police headquarters on Saturday.

Mohamed Saeed began the protest on Saturday morning, saying repeated complaints to the police and relevant authorities had failed to resolve the disturbances allegedly caused by a man identified as Ahmed Farish.

Police confirmed on Saturday night that the man accused of causing public disturbances had been arrested. No further details were provided.

In a Facebook post accompanied by a photograph of Farish, Saeed alleged that residents of the neighbourhood, as well as pedestrians passing through the area, had been subjected to harassment for one and a half years.

Saeed said he had repeatedly reported the incidents to the authorities, submitted complaints and documented evidence of the alleged behaviour.

However, he claimed that no progress had been made despite waiting for action over the past one and a half years.

According to Saeed, the alleged incidents occurred around Kashimaa Hingun and Dhoohimeri Magu, affecting his family, other residents, pedestrians and motorists using the roads.

He accused Farish of verbally abusing pedestrians, shouting offensive language at people walking along the streets and creating disturbances in the neighbourhood.

Saeed also alleged that Farish had obstructed traffic by placing motorcycles on the road and moving road closure signs from other areas to block access for vehicles.

He further accused Farish of throwing rubbish into residential premises on several occasions, claiming that at least two incidents had been captured on camera.

Other allegations included throwing oil and water from a balcony onto pedestrians passing below. Saeed said he had personally been struck by oil during one such incident.

He also alleged that Farish had thrown plastic bottles at people without warning while shouting at them.

According to Saeed, the disturbances included continuous shouting and loud noises from midnight until dawn, affecting residents' ability to rest.

He further claimed that Farish had entered residential buildings without permission on several occasions, sometimes waiting for residents to enter before following them inside.

Saeed said the alleged incidents had affected his family and other people living in and travelling through the neighbourhood.

He began the hunger strike outside the police headquarters after concluding that his complaints had not resulted in action.

Police subsequently confirmed the arrest on Saturday night but did not disclose the grounds for the arrest or whether any charges would be sought.