Court Remands Two Protesters Arrested at Youth-led Protest in Male’
Youth protest in Malé demanding justice for the young woman found injured | Photo: MV+
The Criminal Court yesterday remanded two individuals arrested during Thursday night’s youth protest in Malé, which was held to demand justice for the young woman found injured on a rooftop on 18 April, ordering that they be held in custody for three days.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Aishath Shiman Ahmed, 19, of M. Hasthee, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majidh, 28, of Bageechage, N. Kudafari, who previously served as deputy youth minister during the former MDP administration. Both are described as key organisers of the ongoing protests.
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Shiman was arrested on suspicion of refusing to comply with a police order and obstructing police work, while Mahzoom was arrested on the same charges, along with an additional charge of attempting to assault a police officer.
The protest, which began peacefully on Thursday night, escalated when Specialist Operations (SO) police officers intervened to disperse the crowd, using force, including pepper spray.
The arrests have triggered public backlash, with political parties including the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), The Democrats, and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) condemning the detentions and calling for the immediate release of Shiman and Mahzoom.
In a statement issued early Friday morning, the Maldives Police Service defended its actions, stating that the use of force was necessary to protect the interests of students and the public, who had been adversely affected by the protests.
#MPSPressStatement: 171-A(CA)PS/2025/08 – Baeh zuvaanun isnagaigen Male’, Majeedhee Magugai kuriah gendhaa ihuthijaajaa gulhey https://t.co/nirnefUsPD pic.twitter.com/QC9ZQ1a1CC— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 2, 2025
The protests were sparked by the discovery of a 21-year-old woman who was found injured on the rooftop of a warehouse in the Henveiru district at around 7:30 am on 18 April. The woman is reported to have spent nearly three hours on the rooftop before a neighbour noticed her and alerted authorities.
The case has fuelled widespread public concern and a series of protests in Malé, particularly among young people. Allegations of a police cover-up have emerged, after reports surfaced that some of the individuals allegedly involved in the incident have family ties to influential figures.
