High Court rejects appeal by Ex-MP Mohamed Ismail on his detention

High Court has decided against accepting the appeal made by Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) Council Member and former Parliamentarian Mohamed Ismail over the extension of his detention following his arrest in connection to the mob attack on the event held at National Stadium on June 21, to mark International Day of Yoga.

Mohamed Ismail was arrested in connection to the mob attack on June 22. Criminal Court granted a seven-day remand period for Mohamed Ismail, and later extended this by 30 days.

His lawyers filed an appeal with the High Court on last Thursday, asking the court to overturn the decision and release him from detention.

Although High Court confirmed the rejection of the appeal to Sun, no further details were disclosed.

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 over 20 suspects in connection to the mob attack on the event, including local Islamic scholars Al-Sheikh Adam Nishan and Al-Sheikh Mohamed Fazloon. Some of the suspects, including Fazloon, have since been released.