Eighty two people have been taken into custody due to unrest: Police

The police have said that so far, 82 people have been taken into custody as a result of the unrest in Male’ following the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed on 5 March 2013 under an order by Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court.

Superintendent of Police Abdullah Nawaz said at a press conference at Iskandar Koshi tonight that only five out of the eighty two people remain in custody. He said that the five people who remain in custody were arrested following court orders.

He did not provide any details on the five people.

Nawaz referred to the incident last night in which fire was set to a vehicle carrying fuel near Hakatha petrol shed, and said that the incident could have resulted in serious damage to several people if the police had not been able to control the fire. He said that such activities encourage terrorism, and described them as uncivilised and derogatory.

He also responded to accusations by opposition groups that the police institution is influenced by politicians, and said that the police institution is free of all political influence and operates independently. He thanked the public for their support, and said that he would like to work even more closely with the public in the future.