Government in u-turn cancels permit for opposition rally
Despite the withdrawal of the permit, the MDP has said the first rally of the new opposition coalition will go ahead as planned tonight. Maldives United Opposition Spokesman Ahmed Mahloof told said the rally will take place if the weather improves.
14 Jul 2016, 9:00 AM
The housing ministry has cancelled a permit granted to the Maldivian Democratic Party on Wednesday to hold a rally in Malé tonight, citing alleged plans to “encourage unlawful activities”.
The main opposition party sought permission to use the carnival area for the first rally of the Maldives United Opposition, the new coalition launched in London last month by opposition leaders in exile.
At a hastily arranged press briefing this morning, Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz said the permit was granted to the MDP and not to “some group called the united coalition”.
“The government will not give one inch of Maldivian land to hold unlawful gatherings to an organisation or group formed unlawfully,” he declared.
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