Arson suspected in opposition campaign hall fire

An opposition campaign hall on the Meedhoo island of Addu City was burnt down early Wednesday morning in a suspected arson attack.

Dubbed ‘Advance Jagaha,‘ the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s meeting hall was opened last Friday. Speakers and other equipment were destroyed beyond repair. 

“This was done deliberately. The property here was purchased by the people. Tyrants cannot get the people’s vote even if they burn down the hall,” an MDP activist in Meedhoo was quoted as saying by the community news site Addu Live.

Rozaina Adam, MP for the Meedhoo constituency, condemned the attack and called on authorities to apprehend the perpetrators. An investigation is underway, according to police.

Several campaign halls and offices have been vandalised in recent weeks, most recently the Gaaf Dhaal Madaveli opposition hall in the early hours of Wednesday.

Used engine oil was thrown from outside, a council member told VFP.

Earlier this week, the windows of the MDP’s office on Hoarafushi island in Haa Alif atoll were smashed.

The MDP’s other campaign hall in Addu Meedhoo, called Ninmaa, was vandalised last month, Mihaaru reported. No arrests have been made so far.

In early August, a group of masked men attacked MDP supporters at the party’s office on the Maradhoo island of Addu City and caused damages worth MVR200,000 (US$12,970).

The Shaviyani Feydhoo MDP meeting hall was vandalised with used oil while a similar attack was reported at the campaign hall in Thaa Thimarafushi.

Used engine oil was also thrown into the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’ campaign halls on Fonadhoo in Laamu atoll and Maamigili in Alif Dhaal atoll.

Opposition campaign hall on Madaveli island. Photo credit: VFP