Supporters clash in Mathiveri as opposition candidate arrives

Clashes erupted between supporters of the ruling MDP and opposition PPM on Tuesday, as the PPM-PNC presidential candidate, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu arrived in AA. Mathiveri.

MDP supporters were gathered outside a café in the island, as Muizzu walked from the harbor to the PPM party center.

One MDP activist had reportedly been among the crowd of Muizzu’s supporters waiting to shake his hand.

Clashes erupted after the activist reportedly pushed a PPM supporter towards Muizzu.

Police officers at the scene immediately detained the activist.

Some PPM supporters accused MDP activists of attempting to attack Muizzu.

However, based on eye witness accounts, and video footage, the clashes appear to have taken place between supporters of the two parties.

ޕީޕީއެމް، ޕީއެންސީގެ ރިޔާސީ ކެންޑިޑޭޓް ޑރ. މުހައްމަދު މުއިއްޒު އއ. މަތިވެރިއަށް ވަޑައިގަތުމުން އޭނާއަށް ހަމަލާ ދޭން މަސައްކަތް ކުރި ކަމަށް ޚަބަރު ފެތުރުނު ނަމަވެސް، ފުލުހުން ވަނީ ހަމަލައެއް ދޭން އުޅެފައިވާ ކަމަށް ނުބެލެވޭ ކަމަށް ބުނެފަ

ތަފްސީލް: https://t.co/Tzgfzxqtr2 pic.twitter.com/kMGWAMY8WP

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) September 5, 2023

Muizzu was unharmed in the incident, and the supporters involved did not sustain serious injuries.

A police spokesperson said that one person was taken into custody, after two people exchanged obscene gestures and created a disturbance.

The man was released after questioning, said the police.

Police said that initial investigative findings do not show it was an attempt to attack Muizzu.