Nasheed calls for release of fishermen arrested at protest, says suppression of rights must end

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has called on the government to release all those arrested during the Fishermen’s Day protest along with Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir, who also serves as Secretary General of the Bodu Kanneli Masverinnge Union (BKMU).  

The protest was launched by BKMU on Wednesday, with fishermen accusing the government of failing to deliver on key promises. On Thursday, police boarded fishing vessels and arrested several participants in an effort to halt the demonstration.  

Mauroof was among those arrested and was released from custody on Saturday. However, the BKMU continues to call for the release of others still detained.  

In a post on X, Nasheed condemned the arrests and urged the government to respect the right to peaceful assembly and expression.  

“I call on the government to immediately release the fishermen: Mohamed Sodiq, Abdul Latheef Ahmed, and Mohamed Musthafa who were arrested while peacefully raising their voices on Fishermen’s Day with MP Mauroof Zakir. These attempts aimed at suppression of rights and freedom to gather and expression need to stop!”

Police arrested eight individuals during the protests on Tuesday and Wednesday. Four were remanded in custody for five days, and Mauroof was released early on Saturday.  

At the time of his release, Mauroof was hospitalized in an emergency and underwent surgery for a bleeding injury that had not subsided, according to sources.  

On Saturday, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) filed a complaint with the International Labour Organization (ILO) over the arrests. The union has also called for the resignation of Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam and vowed to continue the protest.