Police Release Seven Arrested During May 13 Protest in Malé

Police have released seven people arrested during a protest held in Malé on May 13, where demonstrators called for the release of two detained journalists from media outlet Adhadhu.

In a statement, police said nine people were taken into custody during the protest on charges of obstructing police from carrying out their legal duties and disobeying orders. Those arrested included seven men and two women.

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When the detainees were presented before the court for remand hearings, six people, including the two women, were released. Of the remaining three, the court ordered one person to be detained for three days, another for five days, and the third for 10 days.

Police later stated that the individual initially ordered to be held for three days has also now been released.

The protest was organised in response to the detention of Adhadhu journalists Mohamed Shahzaan and Leevan Ali Nasir, who were arrested a day earlier.

The demonstration was led by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party and People’s National Front and drew a larger crowd than previous gatherings. Former president Mohamed Nasheed was seen at the front of the march as it began.