State of emergency: a round-up of weekend round-ups

Police arrested 15 people on Saturday, including a lawyer for high-profile detainees.

Demonstrations have been taking place in Malé since President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency last month after a shock Supreme Court ruling for the release of nine prisoners, citing a “judicial coup” to remove him from office.

Nazim Sattar, brother of exiled ex-president Mohamed Nasheed and lawyer for jailed MP Ahmed Mahloof, was arrested after leaving the courthouse on charges of obstructing police duty.

He was being held at Dhoonidhoo detention facility and was released Sunday afternoon.

“Was able to speak to @nazimsat briefly,” said MP Eva Abdulla regarding his arrest. “He said he’d left the courthouse and ‘inadvertently stepped in front of a police van’ and is therefore now held accused of ‘obstructing police duty,’” she tweeted.

Former home minister Hassan Afeef was also arrested in the capital – while he was giving a media interview during an anti-Yameen protest.

Police confirmed that one woman and 14 men remain in custody from the Saturday night round-up. Only five of the 141 people arrested on Friday are currently in custody.

The state of emergency is due to expire on Thursday as police seek remand extensions.

• Six police officers who were arrested have had their detention extended by 15 days, one officer has had his detention extended by 14 days.
• The Criminal Court has given MP Ahmed Mahloof 13 days in detention.
• Fathimath Nasira, wife of Judge Ali Hameed, has been placed under house arrest for 15 days.
• Mohamed Wisam and Amir Saleem of RaajjeTV, who were arrested on Friday, have been given 10 days in detention.
• MP Ilham Ahmed, MP Abdulla Sinan and his brother Adam Zalif were given 15 days in remand.

People detained under the state of emergency will not be released once it is lifted, said ruling party lawmaker Ahmed Nihan, referring to those alleged of being involved with the coup attempt.

Photo: Avas

This story has been  updated.