Police stops Oppositions “Tea Party”

Maldives Police Service has obstructed the “Saifodhu” (evening tea) hosted by the Opposition Coalition and confiscated the tables they were using.

Police Media Official told Sun Media that they brought the opposition to halt because it was obstructing the flow of traffic in the area.

The Media Official said that the participants at the event in front of the MDP Campaign Hall refused to listen to repeat attempts of advice keep their actions in such a way that does not affect the traffic flow in the area.

Journalists of Sun Media at the area saw that a few arrests were made in the area. But the Police said that no arrests were made regarding the event.

Regarding the incident today, the Vice President of Adhaalath Party in the Maldives United Opposition (MUO), Ali Zahir told Sun Media that the tea was held on the pavement sidewalk in front of the MDP campaign hall and it was not affecting foot traffic on the road.

He said that the Police used excessive force in bringing the event to a stop by using pepper spray prematurely to the situation and it is against the law.

A number of people sought treatment at ADK Hospital following the use of pepper spray by the Police including the Rajje TV Journalist, Abdulla Naseer Ibrahim.

Zahir said that the Police brought the tea event to a halt by following an illegal command from the higher ups and advised the Police not to follow such commands.