Security heightened following uptick in crime group activities

Police state they have noted an increase in activities by criminal groups in Male’ City, as the country votes in the presidential election runoff.

In a statement on Saturday afternoon, police said they have been receiving reports of people affiliated with criminal groups threatening, intimidating, and in some instances – attacking people involved in the election.

Police said they have heightened security measures in the capital in response, and are taking necessary steps to ascertain public safety.

“The police are investigating these incidents as serious cases,” said the police.

The statement comes after two lawmakers representing constituencies in Addu were physically assaulted in two separate incidents on Saturday.

Feydhoo MP Mohamed Nihad was attacked in Feydhoo district of Addu, while Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef was attacked while at the Manhattan Business Hotel in Male’.

Police had upgraded their alert level to the highest level earlier this week, and stated that the alert level will remain in place until after the polls close and the results are announced.