15 arrested from Monday’s protest released

Police have released the protesters arrested from the demonstration staged by the opposition coalition in Male’ City on Monday night.

The opposition coalition, composed of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), has launched serial protests in Male’ following the money laundering conviction against the opposition’s presidential candidate, former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

15 protestors were arrested Monday night; 10 men and five women.

All 15 were released within hours.

Those arrested from the protest included PNC deputy leader and Hulhumale’ councilman Ibrahim Shujau.

The opposition coalition has been holding serial protests in the Sosun Magu-Majeedhee Magu junction.

Yameen was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development on December 25. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and imposed with a USD 5 million fine.

The sentence against him had come a year after he was acquitted after getting convicted of similar charges in 2019.