Mauroof Zakir released from custody after protest; MDP calls for release of all detainees

Mauroof Zakir, Secretary General of the Bodu Kanneli Masverinnge Union (BKMU) and Kendhoo MP, has been released from police custody following his arrest during the fishermen’s protest on Fishermen’s Day.  

According to MDP Legal Director Ahmed Mauroof, Mauroof Zakir has been released from police custody and is currently in hospital with his family. In a post on X, Ahmed Mauroof expressed gratitude to supporters and international partners, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), and reiterated the call for the unconditional release of all other detainees while urging the government to begin proper dialogue with fishermen

He reiterated his call for the unconditional release of all other detainees and urged the government to initiate proper dialogue with fishermen to address their concerns.  

Mauroof Zakir was arrested on Thursday and taken to hospital on Saturday for an emergency operation.  

އަވަސް ޝިފާއްކްށް އެދެން ❤️‍????

ކުއްލި އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއް ކުރުމަށް @MateyZakir އައިޖީއެމްއެޗްގެ އެމެޖެންސީ ރޫމުން ނެރެގެން ގެންދަނީ. @MDPSecretariat ގެ ލީޑަރޝިޕްގެ ބައެއް ބޭފުޅުން އަދިވެސް ތިއްބެވީ ހޮސްޕިޓަލުގައި#FreeMateyNow#FreeBKMUProtestors#MasverinMinivanKurey pic.twitter.com/CcAujbFjbG

— Hussain Hassan (@HucenHassan) December 13, 2025

MDP Parliamentary Group Deputy Leader Hussain Ziyadh, MP for Vaikaradhoo, told Sun that Mauroof required surgery due to an injury sustained during arrest.  

However, police said Mauroof was taken to hospital at his own request, and that he did not ask to see a doctor due to any incident that occurred while in custody.  

The MDP has criticized the government for failing to produce detainees before a judge within 24 hours, as required by law. The party accused authorities of unconstitutional detention of four other individuals arrested during the protest.  

The MDP has also filed a formal complaint with the ILO over the arrest of Mauroof Zakir and several fishermen.