MDP condemns "unlawful" obstruction of MUO gathering

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the police, alleging it deliberately obstructed the gathering held by Maldives United Opposition (MUO) in Hulhumeedhoo, Addu City, on Friday night, to protest against the court decision to postpone the Local Council Election.

The MOU gathering was scheduled to be held on the main road of Hulhudhoo, with a podium on one side and seats for the protestors on the other.

MDP said that police in riot gear had showed up moments after the gathering began, chasing away protesters and pushing the podium and sound system used in the gathering to the side.

Meanwhile, police reported that they had neither obstructed the gathering, or stopped it from taking place; but had tried to disperse protesters away from the Hulhumeedhoo Court – located in the area.

MDP issued a statement regarding the incident this Saturday, in which it condemned the actions of the police in the “harshest terms” and alleged the police unlawfully and deliberately obstructed the gathering.

“The organizers of last night’s gathering initially requested a hall in which to hold the gathering, but were denied a hall under the influence of the government,” said MDP in its statement.

MDP said that the organizers of the gathering had then attempted to exercise the constitutional freedom of gathering by preparing a stage to hold the gathering on the street.

MDP said the stage was dismantled by police in the evening, after which the organizers attempted to hold the gathering with the use of just the podium.

The opposition party said that police had used force to obstruct the gathering and arrest one of the protesters.