State decides against pursuing charges against 4 protesters

The Prosecutor General’s Office has made the decision not to press charges against four people arrested in the continuous demonstrations by the opposition over the imprisonment of PPM leader and former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

The four protesters – including councilmembers from PPM and PNC – were arrested on November 30, but released a couple of hours later.

A police spokesperson said that the four protesters were suspected of “gathering in different junctures in Male’, attempting to create discord, acting in a manner which hindered traffic flow, and obstructing police officers from fulfilling their duty” on November 30, and that the agency had forwarded cases against the four protesters to

the Prosecutor General’s Office for criminal charges.

“The PG returned the cases, citing lack of sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges, last Monday,” said the spokesperson.

Maldives’ recently appointed Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem told Sun that it is not in the interest of the State to press charges against the four protesters. He said that the State, as a rule, will not pursue charges against protesters unless it results in bodily harm or damage to property.

According to PPM, the police had arrested total five protesters on November 30, including PPM deputy leader, Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam.

Sun has been informed the police had pursued charges against all protesters except for Shiyam; Ibrahim Faisal – son of PNC leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla, former Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail, and councilmembers Mohamed Latheef and Abdulla Mohamed.

An amendment to the Freedom of Assembly Act enacted during former President Yameen’s administration bans demonstrations in Male’ City without prior permission from the police. The amendment has yet to be repealed and continues to be in effect.