Charges filed against 18 over yoga day riot
Rioters storming the yoga event, where foreign ambassadors and diplomats were in attendance, continued their uproar for about 40 minutes.
By
Aman Haleem
Prosecutor General's (PG) office has filed charges on Monday against 18 individuals accused of terrorism in connection with the riot at the National Football Stadium, where an event celebrating the International Yoga day was held in June.
Senior government officials and foreign diplomats were inside the national stadium participating in the yoga day event when the violent breakup occurred, after the group of protesters had been gathering outside the stadium for some time. The group then broke through security barriers and entered the stadium forcibly, attacking the people inside and damaging property within the stadium and event.
Twenty-three suspects were initially arrested, but some were later released.
The PG office said in a statement that charges were filed against 18 of them:
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Two people charged with inciting terrorism
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Seven people charged with terrorism
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Seven people charged with complicity in an act of terrorism
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One person charged with possessing a document indicating his presence in a terrorist group
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One person charged with assault with a weapon
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Three people charged with attempted assault with a weapon
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15 people charged with obstruction of justice
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Two people charged with obstruction of justice
Mohamed Ismail, former Hoarafushi MP and a leader of the opposition PPM, is being charged with complicity in an act of terrorism and obstruction of justice. Other high profile people charged with inciting terrorism are religious scholars Fazloon Mohamed and Adam Nishan.
Charges of inciting an act of terrorism are being brought against:
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Fazloon Mohamed, Shaviyani Milandhoo/Naz
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Adam Nishan, L. Maamendhoo/Sosun Villa
The offence carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison.
Charges for committing an act of terrorism are brought against:
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Mohamed Zillian, Male/M.A. Kanuhura
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Abdulla Rifau, Th. Thimarafushi/Narugisvilla
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Aboobakuru Fariu, N. Miladhoo/Carnationmaage
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Ahmed Aksam, R. Kandholhudhoo/Alamaage
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Ahmed Nasooh, G.A. Maamendhoo/Asrafee Villa
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Hassan Shifaz, Male/M. Kudhehige
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Shabim Adam, F. Dhanburudhoo/Aabaadhee Gulshan
The offence carries a sentence of 20 to 25 years in prison.
Charges of complicity in an act of terrorism are brought against:
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Mohamed Ismail, H.A. Hoarafushi/Yagoothuge
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Abdulla Niyaz, Male/G. Phoenix
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Ali Mohamed, Th. Thimarafushi/Aliaabaadhu
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Ibrahim Zihan, N. Velidhoo/Milano
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Mohamed Shan, L. Mundoo/Annaarumaage
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Hussain Ali, H.D. Kulhudhuffushi/Baabooge
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Ahmed Ali, Male/M. Falhumatheege
Charged with possessing a document indicating that support for a terrorist group:
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Abdulla Rifau, Th. Thimarafushi/Narugisvilla
The offence carries a sentence of one to three years in prison.
Charges of assault with a weapon are brought against:
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Shabim Adam, F. Dhanburudhoo/Aabaadhee Gulshan
The offence carries a sentence of seven to 10 years in prison.
Charged with attempted assault using a weapon:
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Abdulla Rifau, Th. Thimarafushi/Narugisvilla
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Ahmed Aksam, R. Kandholhudhoo/Alamaage
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Hassan Shifaz, Male/M. Kudhehige
The offence carries a sentence of three to five years in prison.
Charges of hindering an officer of law deliberately in the obstruction of justice are being brought against:
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Mohamed Faisal, Male/G. Ufuria
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Mohamed Faisal, Male/M. Orchid House
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Mohamed Zillian, Male/M.A. Kanuhura
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Abdulla Rifau, Th. Thimarafushi/Narugisvilla
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Aboobakuru Fariq, N. Miladhoo/Carnationmaage
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Ahmed Aksam, R. Kandholhudhoo/Alamaage
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Ahmed Nasuh, G.A. Maamendhoo/Asrafee villa
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Hassan Shifaz, Male/M. Kudhehige
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Shabim Adam, F. Dhanburudhoo/Aabaadhee Gulshan
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Abdulla Niyaz, Male/G. A. Phoenix
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Ali Mohamed, Th. Thimarafushi/Aliaabad
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Ibrahim Zihan, N. Velidhoo/Milano
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Mohamed Shan, L. Mundoo/Annaarumaage
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Hussain Ali, H.Dh. Kulhudhuffushi/Baabooge
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Ahmed Ali, Male/M. Falhumatheege
The basic penalty for the crime is four months and 24 days in prison.
Obstruction of justice charges to be brought against:
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Mohamed Ismail, H.A. Hoarafushi/Yaagoothuge
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Mohamed Zillian, Male/M.A. Kanuhura
The basic penalty for this crime is one year, seven months and six days in prison.
Case summary:
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The protesters attempted storming in to the stadium to stop the yoga day event chanting takbirs aloud.
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Police tried to stop them by putting up barricades, but the protesters broke through police lines forcibly.
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The protesters also broke through the gate of the national stadium and charged towards the people inside, threatening them with violence and forcibly making them leave.
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Rioters storming the yoga event, where foreign ambassadors and diplomats were in attendance, continued their uproar for about 40 minutes.
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They were expelled from the scene by police using tear gas and force.
