All except one arrested in opposition PPM-PNC protest released

Court has granted release for nine out of the 10 protestors arrested from Monday’s opposition PPM-PNC’s protest under the name 'Ley Naaru', to draw attention to the concerns of local fishermen, and to make the government answerable to them.

The arrestees from the protest include seven women and three men.

When they were presented before the court for a remand hearing on Tuesday, nine out of the 10 arrestees were granted release. The arrestee who was remanded was PPM’s Youth Wing member Ali Izhan.

The Court had remanded him in custody for three days.

An emergency motion was submitted by Faresmaathoda MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef at Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting alleging the police used excessive force to dismantle the protest. The motion was rejected with a majority vote of 23 MPs. Eight MPs voted in favor of the motion, while one abstained.

Presenting his motion, Latheef said he condemned the decision by the police to arrest protestors. He alleged the police violated the dignity of female protestors. He called on the government to conduct a swift investigation into the case.

Complaints of yesterday’s protestors were to immediately cease the financial difficulties imposed upon fishermen by the government, and to ensure fair price for fishermen’s catches.