Arrested journalists released, 9 remain in custody

The four video journalists from Raajje TV and Sangu TV arrested while covering the protest by the Maldives United Opposition (MUO) last night have been released.

Information Officer of the Police, Ismail Ali said today that the four journalists were released late last night after talking to them. All four journalists were arrested while broadcasting live events of the protest.

Police said that they arrested the video journalists last night around 12:15 a.m. near the shop, Delight, for obstructing the Police duties.

The Police Information Officer said that journalists that confront the Police are not journalists, but activists with journalist passes.

Nine more people arrested for obstructing the Police last night still remains in custody. Police said that they would be remanded.

Police said that among the people arrested last night were three people who were arrested with court orders but no further information on them were given.

After a law was passed banning public demonstration in the Capital, Malé City, the MUO protested last night calling to investigate the allegations made in the Al-Jazeera documentary, “Stealing Paradise”.

Home Ministry decided yesterday that protest rallies can be held in Malé with a written permission from the Police at the Carnival area only.