Parliament rejects emergency motion urging release of arrestees from opposition’s mass rally

Emergency motion submitted to the Parliament calling on the release of arrestees from Friday’s ‘Neyva Holhiah’ mass rally by the opposition coalition has been rejected.

The motion was submitted to the Parliament by Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam.

Only three parliamentarians vote in favor of accepting the motion submitted by Shyam. A total of 26 parliamentarians had voted to reject the motion.

Shiyam’s motion read that 17 individuals arrested from the mass rally held against the presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives that were cuffed and tortured at Dhoonidhoo Prison includes parliamentarians and councilors elected by the people.

Stressing that nine individuals still remain in custody – the motion stated that those in custody were being treated extremely violently.

The motion also urged to not obstruct the right to assembly and freedom of expression, improve the conditions of prison facilities and the immediate release of arrestees from the rally.

Amongst the individuals who remain in custody after being arrested from the rally are Male’ City Deputy Mayor Ahmed Nareesh and former Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail.

Guraidhoo MP Ghassan Maumoon, Maavah MP Mohamed Saeed were also amongst those who had been arrested. Both of them have now been granted conditional release.