Opposition party – Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has said that their huge “Minjuvaan” protest planned for Friday would continue for 73 hours and 13 minutes.

Speaking during a press conference held at MDP office on Wednesday, MDP Secretary-General Anas Abdul Sattar said that a large number of activities had been planned for the protest which will start of Friday.

“Protest will be largely carried out at Artificial Beach. But as we have a large number of activities planned, it will not only be carried out at Artificial Beach. We will also go out to the street corner,” he said.

He said that MDP would make some demands to government during the protest. He said that the demands weren’t huge, and that they could be easily answered during the 73 hours the protest would continue for.

“We will give government ample time to meet our demands. Such demands are necessary because government has failed, leading for people to suffer,” said Anas.

He said that top MDP officials would participate in the protest and express their grievances.

The main purpose of the large protest, which had been delayed when President Abdulla Yameen announced a State of Emergency, is to call out for release of former President Mohamed Nasheed, former Defense Minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, and Adhaalath Party President Imran Abdulla.

MDP has said that Nasheed had been arrested and jailed unjustly on trumped up charges.

Speaking during an earlier press conference, MDP Vice President Mohamed Shifaz said that the government was challenging international governments and organizations calling for Nasheed’s release, and that they did not want to tolerate their challenges.