Police: Indian officials did not enter custodial holding Yoga Day violence suspects

Police have refuted allegations Indian officials entered a custodial holding suspects arrested in connection to the mob attack on the Yoga Day event held in Male’ City last June.

In a statement on Monday, police said the media reports quoting legal representatives of the suspects that officials from the Indian High Commission entered the custodial where the suspects were held were completely untrue.

Police said that such allegations tarnish public perception towards the law enforcement agency, leading to loss of public trust and incite hatred towards the agency.

Police urged media to verify such information through credible sources before publishing such reports.

The allegation was made during a joint press conference by legal representatives of the suspects on Saturday.

The yoga event, organized by the Indian Cultural Center and the Sports Ministry, was held on the morning of June 21, and was attended by dozens of participants, foreign ambassadors including Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar, diplomats, and government officials.

A mob of angry protestors had stormed the stadium, and threatened and assaulted some of the participants, and destroyed property.

Police arrested 21 suspects in connection to the mob attack on the event, including local Islamic scholars Al-Sheikh Adam Nishan and Al-Sheikh Mohamed Fazloon.

The case is under investigation by the Serious and Organized Crime Department.