Police ‘Acted Responsibly and with Restraint’, Gov’t Asserts
Protesters gather for ‘Lootuvaifi’ rally | Photo: MDP
The government has defended the actions of the Maldives Police Service during the opposition’s ‘Lootuvaifi’ rally last night, describing their response as measured and responsible.
In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the police had acted with restraint in ensuring public safety amid the protests.
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The ‘Lootuvaifi’ anti-corruption rally began at 9:00 pm on Friday, with hundreds of protesters gathering at the Artificial Beach in the Henveiru district of Male’. However, as the protesters attempted to march along Majeedhee Magu, the police accused them of straying from the approved route and blocked their progress.
#MPSPressStatement: 171-A(C1)/PS/2025/18 – Regarding the event planned by some political parties for Friday, 3 October 2025: https://t.co/16WkqFYvOM#MPSNoosBayaan pic.twitter.com/3L9XH4fwhj— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) October 1, 2025
Tensions escalated as protesters tried to push through, leading to clashes, with the police deploying pepper spray and Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) to disperse the crowd.
Dangerous New Escalation: MDP Condemns Use of LRADs and Indiscriminate Arrestshttps://t.co/PzrO1PZha5 pic.twitter.com/uvv6cD4beI— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 4, 2025
Several protesters were detained, and one reportedly suffered a heart attack after being pepper-sprayed at close range.
In the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Maldivian government’s commitment to protecting democratic rights, including the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, as outlined in the Freedom of Assembly Act.
The MDP has claimed that reports indicate at least 13 protesters, including two former parliamentarians, were detained by the police. The party further alleged that the authorities have refused to confirm details of the arrests and are denying the detained protesters access to legal representation.
🚨 UPDATE 🚨
Remanded for 15 days:
1. Yaugoob Abdullah
2. Yasir Abdul Latheef
3. Hassan Solah
4. Ali Jumaan
5. Azeem Ali
6. Hassan Shakir
Released:
1. Mohamed Khalaf Ibrahim
2. Hussain Zareer (will be released in 24 hrs)
Release them now! #FreeOct3Protestors— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 4, 2025
The MDP has voiced concern over the condition of Mohamed Raslaan, the party’s vice president for the Central Hulhumale’ constituency, who is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) following a heart attack during the rally.
The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) also raised concerns over the treatment of the press during the protest, tweeting that multiple reports had been received of journalists and cameramen being targeted with pepper spray.
The MJA further stated that police had denied journalists’ requests to move behind police lines to carry out their work. In their statement, the association called on the Maldives Police Service to cease obstructing the press and to ensure the safety of journalists.
We are receiving multiple reports of targeted pepper spray attacks on journalists and cameramen covering the protest. Police also denied requests by journalists to move behind police lines to do their work. We call on @PoliceMv to stop obstructing the press and ensure journalist… https://t.co/frq5cNHef1— Maldives Journalists Association (@mjamaldives) October 3, 2025
