MDP slams ‘unlawful’ use of sound cannons on protestors, alleges it is Israeli made

The legal team from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the police of unauthorized use of Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) or sound cannons to disperse protestors during Friday’s rally, adding that they have also been informed the sound cannons in question may have been manufactured in Israel.

The ‘Lootuvaifi’ anti-corruption 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. Multiple protestors were taken into custody, while one suffered a heart attack after reportedly getting pepper-sprayed at close range.

In a press briefing just after midnight, Ahmed Mauroof, a member of MDP’s legal team, told reporters that they have been informed that the police are not authorized to use LRADs for crowd control.

He also alleged that the LRADs in question were manufactured by Israel.

“We are deeply concerned over the start of use of such devices in a country that has a ban on imports from Israel. We will be reporting this to relevant authorities,” he said.

Mauroof said the MDP will be lodging cases with both the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) and the National Integrity Commission (NIC).

Aik Ahmed Easa, another member of MDP’s legal team, said the protestors sustained serious injuries during the police crackdown.

He added that both protestors and people living in the neighborhood suffered permanent hearing damage due to the use of the sound cannons.

MDP has said that reports suggest at least 13 protestors, including two former parliamentarians, were detained by the police. The party said the police have refused to verify the details of the arrests, and were denying the protestors access to a lawyer.

The police have denied allegations of excessive use of force, saying protestors obstructed officers from performing their legal duties and threw water bottles and rocks at them. The police warned they will be taking legal action against the protestors in question.