Situation worsens in Maldives: Thousands on roads, journalists attacked by police

Male, February 18: Situations in the Maldives are getting worse day by day as the thousands of people took part in the protests in the Maldives on Friday which led to several arrests including journalists who were covering the protest.

Pro-Opposition protesters were demanding the resignation of President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the release of his political opponents from prison. Dozens of pro-opposition supporters were injured and many were arrested after police broke up protests.

During the protest, several people were hospitalised with injuries and many protesters were arrested, but the hospital and police officials refused to provide numbers. The injured included about 10 reporters who were covering the protest.

 

The journalists were attacked by the Maldives Police and they were heavily pepper sprayed, manhandled and beaten up by riot police. Some are still being treated in the hospital.

On the other side, the police authorities had released a press statement which stated that the right to protest has been suspended under the state of emergency and the journalists were covering the protests and spreading the false information about the security services.

 

Police declined to comment on any arrests or other incidents related to the protest, which was the latest in a series of demonstrations against Yameen’s government.