MDP protest rally against the Government “To be Free” has begun.
The three-day protest rally is being held at Artificial Beach area. Police said that the rally cannot be taken to the streets and has to be ended at 12 a.m. tonight. MDP said that the participants of the protest would not be going on to the street and it would last 73 hours and 13 minutes. A number of people have come to the capital from the atolls to take part in the rally.
MDP said that they would make 13 demands to the Government during the course of the protest rally.
Security forces have been brought to an alert status for the protest.
This is the fourth protest rally this year by the opposition. The biggest rally this year was on 27 February by MDP and JP. Since then a protest rally was led by Adhaalath Party on 1 May as the May-Day protest. And MDP held another proest on 12 June “To End Tyranny.”
01:12
Deputy of the MDP Chairperson, Ali Niyaz said on RaajjeTV that the rally has not ended and that wearing the armbands passed at the rally is still keeping the rally active. He said that a special breakfast for the participants of the rally would be held tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.
Armbands used to return to the rally - Sun Photo: Yousuf Sofwan
23:48
The MDP protest rally that claimed would last 73 hours have now been dispersed. The protesters are at the corners of major streets now. It has been eight hours now since the protest began this evening and the Police say that they have not made any arrests.
MDP has not yet announced that the rally has ended.
23:47
Police warns a group of people at the Majeedhee Magu-Chaandhanee Magu intersection to leave the area.
23:46
Police have used pepper spray against a group of people who walked to Gadiburu (Fareedhee Magu-Orchid Magu intersection). Some have left the area.
23:39
Protesters scattered around the city. Some near the Salsa Restaurant on Orchid Magu.
23:31
Police has closed down the Artificial Beach area. They are active in the area with shields. There are a few members of the MDP leadership inside the MDP campaign hall in the area.
23:31
Police Media has said that no arrests have been made so far.
23:26
A group of protesters with the high officials of MDP leadership has got on Majeedhee Magu via Sosun Magu and is going west. They are near BML now.
23:21
Protesters have been dispersed. A few people remains at the corner of the intersection.
23:16
After the protesters were dispersed from Artificial Beach, some are at the Raalhugandu (Surf Point) area.
23:11
Riot Police have started clearing the Artificial Beach area.
23:09
Police have turned off the power to the sound system at MDP campaign hall.
23:07
Police enters the MDP campaign hall claiming that they are using megaphones after 11 p.m.
23:04
Riot Police have entered Artificial Beach with shields. But there are other Police officers still maintaining their line on Majeedhee Magu.
22:50
Police repeats the warning to leave the area, three times.
22:44
Police has said that the protest rally is no longer a peaceful one and has warned to leave the area.
22:29
A number protesters have returned to Artificial Beach area. Police stopped the protesters near the Ooredoo Office on Majeedhee Magu and pushed them back; pepper spray was also used.
22:22
Police has warned the protesters.
22:20
Protestors are going out to the street. Riot Police is on alert.
22:11
Protesters have taken to the streets. But not all of them are out yet. Police have put up a barricade stopping the protesters from going west on Majeedhee Magu. Riot Police are on alert with shields.
22:02
Home Minister on TVM: We won’t release President Nasheed
Speaking on an interview with TVM, Home Minister Umar Naseer said that the former President Mohamed Nasheed would be freed when it is proven in court that he did not unlawfully arrest the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court.
He also called to end the protest at 12 a.m. and that Police would take steps if the protest lasts longer.
21:33
Inthiyaz Fahumee has said that demands made to the Government can come to effect in 73 hours and 14 minutes and if the Government refuses, the party would decide how to proceed.
Inthiyaz Fahumee speaking at the protest - Sun Photo: Ali Naseer
21:31
Speaking on RaajjeTV from India, Sheikh Ilyas Hussain said that tyrants will not be victorious.
21:21
Demands have been faxed to the President’s Office. The fax was sent with a fax machine at the protest rally.
21:09
MDP Demands:
- Immediate release of President Nasheed.
- Withdraw the charges against Sheikh Imran, Colonel-retired Mohamed Nazim and the 1700 political detainees and investigate the murder of Dr. Afrashim Ali and the missing journalist, Ahmed Rilwan and that no harm to come to any citizen.
- Amend the Justice System and conduct discussions with the political parties.
21:04
In his speech before the demands, Shifaz said that the state treasury will not be violated when the Parliament is won to do as they like.
20:51
The MDP demands would be voiced by the Vice President of MDP, Mohamed Shifaz.
20:43
Preparations are being made to make the demands to the Government.
20:39
Home Minister during the MDP Presidency, Hussain Afeef has said that the end of this presidency is near. He said that the Government would be toppled very soon and President Yamin would resign.
Afeef also responded to Home Minister Umar Naseer’s claim that the MDP numbers have diminished. He also criticized the Police for saying that there were 2000 people at the rally.
20:24
Activities of dancing and Boduberu (traditional drums) are ongoing. Demands to the Government is to be voiced soon.
Protesters dancing - Sun Photo: Fathimath Saeed
20:06
MP for South Thinadhoo Constituency, Saudulla Hilmee has said that no one from G. Dh. Thinadhoo came to Malé City to take part in MDP’s “To be Free” protest rally.
Miadhu MDP in baavvamundhaa muzaaharaa ah Thinadhoo in evves maahaku ai kamakah nuvey. E ee ufaaveri kameh.
Member of the MDP Media Committee, Mohamed Waheed expresses his opinion as the protesters are preparing for dinner. Bondibaiy and Kulhimas (Maldivian style sweet-sticky rice and chili fish) are for dinner.
19:40
Home Minister Umar Naseer has done a head count of the protest rally using a picture.
Isha prayers have ended. After the number of people diminished as the rally came to a halt for prayers, people are gathering again.
19:16
Protesters pray the Isha prayer led by Hussain Rasheed Ahmed.
19:06
Adhaalath Party responds to the Home Minister’s tweet saying that the party is fully involved in the protest rally today. Adhaalath Party said that they are always against tyranny.
Miandhu kuriyahdhaa #Minjuvaan muzaaharaagai #Adhaalath party ge furihama baiverivun ebaoyi. AP abaduves aniyaverikama dekolhu. #freeImran
Home Minister Umar Naseer has tweeted saying that Adhaalath Party’s leadership has assured to the Government that the party is not taking part in the MDP protest today.
AP's leadership has confirmed to the govt that AP is NOT participating in today's protest. The lady is representing herself only.
Participants of the protest prepares for Maghrib Prayer. Ablutions are taking place via water bottles and at the sea.
Protesters preparing for the Maghrib prayer - Sun Photo: Fayaz Moosa
17:48
Officials from the National Integrity Commission are monitoring the protest rally. Vice President of MDP, Shifaz Mohamed said that they would change the direction of the rally as necessary.
As he said this, Police have already said that the protest cannot be taken on to the streets and has to end by 12 a.m.
17:45
Vice President of MDP, Shifaz Mohamed has said that a fund box has been placed aid the people of Addu City who were recently affected by severe weather.
17:31
Police said that there are 2000 people at the Artificial Beach area for the MDP rally and that they are handling security in the area.
Artificial beach gai 2000 eh haa meehun MDP ge evvumugai baiverivamundhey. Fulhun gendhanee e sarahadhuge salamathee kan kan balahattamun.
Shidhatha Shareef is talking at the protest on behalf of Adhaalath Party saying that the Government will not be allowed to conduct with cruelty.
17:03
It has been announced that the demands for the government would be raised tonight.
16:58
Ibu calls on to the protestors to defy any orders outside the law from anyone. He ends his speech praying for success.
16:54
Ibu said that Adheeb must get justice. He said that more than 50 percent of the people does not trust President Yamin and has to resign.
We are peace lovers. (We) love safety. This Country has to be free of corruption. Especially from the political influence that has entered the security forces.
16:53
Ibu said that the journalists have no safety and that there is no justice has people are getting killed and want to be free of it.
16:52
Ibu calls for President Yamin’s resignation saying that the Government is betraying the people’s money.
16:48
Ibu raises his voice calling to free the former President Mohamed Nasheed, Colonel-retired Mohamed Nazim and President of Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Imran. And he called to end the torture of the people.
16:47
Leader of the MDP Parliamentary Group, Ibrahim Mohamed Soalih (Ibu) is speaking at the protest.
16:43
Recitation of Quran to officially begin the protest.
16:42
Police have opened the road to Artificial Beach. MDP leadership and heads of Adhaalath Party are on Majeedhee Magu with flags. They would join the protestors at Artificial Beach soon.
16:42
People are gathering at the Artificial Beach. Memebers of the MPD National Council has left the MDP office to join the protest rally. But the Police have closed down traffic to east on Majeedhee Magu.
LOCAL EDITION
