Recent events in Male

Police have said that the events taking place in Male’ now are spreading fear among the public and that these events can be characterized as acts of terrorism.

Superintendent of Police Abdulla Navaz said that the Police are not a “force”, but an institution which provides a service. He said that when the situation deteriorates to an extent where the property of the individual citizens are at risk, the police have to take appropriate measures to protect such property, and said that this too was part of the service they provide. He also said that solving conflicts is also part of their service to the public.

“Reflecting on the events that are taking place in Male’, and taking everything into consideration, it has started to spread fear among the public. In a way, we can say that it is terrorizing,” Navaz said.

Speaking to the press with regard to protests, Navaz said that the Police welcome actions within the boundaries of the law and regardless of the beliefs of the protesters. Navaz assured that protests made according to the law will not disbanded.

With regard to the continuous protests staged by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Male’, Navaz said that the laws clearly stipulate the manners in which protests may be staged and said that a protest where stones and bottles thrown cannot be accepted as a peaceful protest.

He said that complaint about the police can be submitted to the institution and will be duly heard and that as an alternative, no one shall try to damage the property of police officers or harm their children in response to discontent

Navaz said that the policemen constantly recieve threats on the streetss and that they receive phone calls and SMS’s from international phone lines giving all manners of warnings and threats. He however did not reveal the details of the threats received. He noted that there have been incidents where policemen, their children and family members were threatened on the streets, causing the children to face adverse psychological effects.

A number of policemen have sustained injuries during the protests held last three nights. A police vehicle from the Family and Child Protection Department was also set on fire last night.