Gayoom: Government gave full freedom to opposition to protest

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that the government has allowed opposition groups to protest on the streets in large numbers, without any hindrance.

Gayoom’s remark came on Twitter this morning, in relation to the series of ongoing protests in Malé by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) in the name of “defending the Constitution”.

Govt gave full freedom to opposition to protest on the streets in large numbers without hindrance. Democracy at work! Thank u President.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) March 1, 2015

A mass demonstration took place in Malé on Friday, where thousands marched the main streets calling for the release of former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim.

The protesters made a total of 13 demands from the government, to which the government has responded by saying that there was nothing it can do, as it was not in a position to interfere in the issues raised by the protesters.