Police: MDP “Maahefun” was stopped because they didn’t have permit

Maldives Police Service has said that they stopped the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) “Maahefun” on Friday night because the party did not have permits from relevant authorities to hold such an event on the streets.

Police released a statement on early Saturday morning, in which the service said that they received information that MDP was planning the event without permission from Ministry of

Housing and Infrastructure on Friday afternoon, and had promptly advised the party not to go through with the event without permission.

Police said that they stopped the event on Friday night after the party went through with their plans despite repeated appeals by police.

Police crackdown on MDP Maahefun on June 3, 2016. Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa

Police said in their statement that the service would provide their full cooperation in events held with proper permits. And asked that everyone comply with such rules set up for the good of all, given how congested the streets of the capital are.

MDP Maahefun was held in front of their office.

Police intervened and took away tables with food and beverage items arranged on them at around 8:45 pm.

MDP members had eaten standing up in defiance of the presence of police officers.

They also protested the presence of police, and called for President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s resignation.