Two taxi drivers granted conditional release following expiration of remand

Hulhuamle’ Magistrate Court, on Tuesday, has granted conditional release to two taxi driver who was remanded in custody for five days following their arrest from the taxi drivers’ protest held last Wednesday.

The drivers have been identified as Mohamed Shamin, 39, Ma. Viraar, Male’ and Ahmed Shabeen, 33, Sun Ray, L. Dhanbidhoo.

Member of MDP’s legal team and Shamin’s lawyer, Aik Ahmed Easa confirmed to Sun that the drivers were granted conditional release by Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court.

Conditions of release for Shamin:

• Obeying the law  
• Cooperating with the investigation
• Ban on travel
• Ban on participating in protests
• Ban on influencing evidence

Both drivers were released after they had appealed their remand with the High Court.

Two others were arrested alongside Shamin and Shabeen in connection to the protests.

They are Nu’uman Ahmed, 36, Holiday Village, HDh. Kumundhoo and Misbaar Shareef, 31, Ma. Naheedhee Manzil, Male’. Nu’uman has also been granted conditional release.

Taxi drivers began their protest at 6:30pm on Wednesday evening citing the government’s failure to address the concerns they have raised despite one year into office.

Some of their demands included:

• Sacking plans by the government to incept a taxi fleet
• Shifting back to the previous rates for van trips
• Easing traffic flow between Male’ and the airport
• An easier way to pick up customers
• Open registration for taxi drivers’ registry again
• Parking arrangements from Male’

The protest had been peaceful until the drivers blocked off the Hulhumale’ highway road after their demands had gone unanswered for hours.

This led to a huge traffic block causing the area to become extremely congested.

Subsequently, police officers who were at the scene attempted to break up the protest and reopen the road. As part of these efforts, Police had towed 22 taxis used in the protest.

The case is under further investigation by the Police.