Police: MDP plans to use gangs to incite violence during Friday’s rally

The police say they have received intelligence reports that the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) plans to use gangs to incite violence and damage property during the mass anti-corruption rally the party plans to hold in the Maldivian capital this upcoming weekend

The MDP is scheduled to hold a rally on Friday night at the Artificial Beach in Male’ City under the name ‘Lootuvaifi’, in protest of alleged acts of corruption by the incumbent People’s National Congress (PNC) administration.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, the police that the right to freedom of assembly enshrined in Article 32 of the Constitution must be exercised in strict compliance with the Freedom of Assembly Act, and that the agency will be providing safety and protection required for peaceful assemblies as a matter of key priority.

But the police allege the MDP plans to incite violence during the planned Friday rally, something that the agency warned they will not allow.

“The police have received information regarding a conspiracy to divert from the route authorized by the Maldives Police Service for the aforementioned rally, send out teams of criminal groups out into the streets in batches and create turmoil in Male’ and damage property,” reads the statement.

#MPSPressStatement: 171-A(C1)/PS/2025/18 - Siyaasee baeh faraaiythakun isnagaigen 2025 October 3 vana dhuvahu beyvvumah raavaafaivaa harakaathaa gulhey. https://t.co/Ll93CiLpCG#MPSNoosBayaan pic.twitter.com/nruw4eVF4T

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) October 1, 2025

Police said that such acts will undermine peace and security in the capital.

The police urged the MDP to maintain the rally as a peaceful assembly, and urged against inciting unlawful acts or any act that could endanger peace and security.

We will not allow for anyone to create turmoil and damage property in Male’, warned the police.

The MDP has been promoting its Friday rally for weeks. And on Tuesday, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed said the rally doesn’t have to be treated as a gathering by a specific political party, and invited “everyone who is against corruption” to join the protest.