Police Reject Allegations of Brutality During Protest Against Media Bill
Journalist protesting outside the Maldivian Parliament on September 16, 2025 | Photo: MV+
The Maldives Police Service has denied allegations of brutality during a protest outside the Parliament Building earlier this week, stating that officers acted in line with operational protocols and applied only the minimum force necessary.
The protest took place on Tuesday as Parliament debated a proposed media bill that seeks to replace the current self-regulatory system with a government-controlled commission. Journalists began gathering outside the Parliament at around 8:30 am, later joined by members of the public and representatives of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
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The demonstration lasted several hours and escalated into clashes between protestors and police. Several individuals were injured, and at least two were detained, though they were released within a few hours. On Wednesday, the MDP filed a case with the National Integrity Commission, calling for an inquiry into alleged police misconduct.
In response, police issued a statement today describing the protest as an unlawful assembly within a restricted security zone.
The statement said officers were carrying out their duty to safeguard members of Parliament and the public. It noted that some protestors attempted to breach police barricades and obstruct security operations, and that officers issued repeated warnings before taking action.
#MPSPressStatement: 171-A(C1)/PS/2025/17 – Statement regarding the police operation outside the People’s Majlis on 16 September 2025.
Dhivehi: https://t.co/qIcAgsPmkh
English: https://t.co/zo2ZAtqZMf#MPSNoosBayaan pic.twitter.com/Kw6NLaCeBY— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) September 18, 2025
The police stressed that no tear gas, pepper spray, batons, or other crowd-control equipment were used, and that only limited physical restraint was applied when necessary. They maintained that protestors were guided out of the restricted area in accordance with protocols and that the operation was conducted without major injury to either demonstrators or officers.
The Maldives Police Service said it firmly rejected allegations of brutality, emphasising that officers acted strictly in line with operational protocols at all stages of the operation. The agency stated that only the minimum force necessary was applied to preserve order and safeguard both demonstrators and law enforcement officers.
Police also referred to an image circulated in the media, which they argued had been presented without proper context. According to the statement, the individual shown was a participant in an unlawful gathering, not present in the capacity of a journalist. The agency said the photo, taken at a selective angle, created a misleading impression and did not reflect the overall conduct of the operation, during which officers exercised maximum restraint and professionalism.
The Professional Standards Command has launched an internal review of police conduct during the protest. Authorities have pledged to take disciplinary or legal measures if any breach of protocol or misconduct is identified.
