Protestor suffers heart attack after getting pepper-sprayed at close range

One of the protestors who joined the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s ‘Lootuvaifi’ rally in Male’ City suffered a heart attack on Friday, after reportedly getting pepper-sprayed at close range by police.

The MDP identified the protestor who suffered the heart attack as Mohamed Raslaan, the party’s vice president of Central Hulhumale’ constituency.

A member of MDP’s legal team told Sun that Raslaan was rushed to the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) after suffering from complications from being pepper-sprayed at close range by the police.

 He is being treated at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The MDP has expressed deep concern over his condition.

The Maldivian Democratic Party is deeply concerned about VP of the Hulhumale’ Central constituency Mohamed Raslaan, who is currently being treated in IGMH following a heart attack suffered at tonight’s demonstration. We wish Raslaan’s family strength, and pray for his quick and…

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 3, 2025

Meanwhile, MDP’s president Abdulla Shahid took to X and accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration of brutality.

He said that Raslaan’s heart attack was triggered by exposure to close-range pepper spray and long-range acoustic devices (LRADs).

“This is the cost of speaking out under Muizzu's rule,” he wrote. “The brutality displayed by Dr. Muizzu's government has crossed every line. This was a peaceful protest where citizens were subjected to brutal treatment!”

This is the cost of speaking out under Muizzu's rule.

Mr. Raslaan, MDP Constituency VP, suffered a heart attack after being exposed to indiscriminate pepper spraying at close range and the use of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) by Dr. Muizzu's government against peaceful… pic.twitter.com/6oshhpc25p

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) October 3, 2025

The ‘Lootuvaifi’ rally kicked off with hundreds of protestors at 09:00 pm Friday from the Artificial Beach in the Henveiru district of Male’. But as the protestors attempted to march along the Majeedhee Magu, the police accused them of diverting from the pre-approved route and blocked their path. Clashes ensued as protestors attempted to force their way through, with the police using pepper spray and sound cannons to control the crowd. At least eight protestors were taken into custody.