MDP resumes anti-government campaign with protest march
A moratorium on street protests was part of a deal made with the government in exchange for the release of political prisoners. The MDP withdrew from the talks after Nasheed was taken back to Maafushi jail on August 23, citing the government’s refusal to honour its commitment to release the former president and other jailed opposition politicians.
11 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Hundreds of opposition supporters took to the street on Friday afternoon as the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) resumed anti-government protests after a three-month hiatus.
The main opposition party halted street protests in mid-June amid negotiations with the government to secure the release of former President Mohamed Nasheed and other jailed politicians. The MDP withdrew from the talks in late August following Nasheed’s transfer back to Maafushi prison after two months under house arrest.
Protesters today called for the release of Nasheed, Adhaalath Party president Sheikh Imran Abdulla, and former defence minister Mohamed Nazim. Protesters also called on the police to arrest the perpetrators of a life-threatening attack against a member of Nasheed’s legal team, Mahfooz Saeed, last Friday.
Nasheed and Nazim were found guilty of terrorism and weapons smuggling charges, respectively, following rushed trials that drew widespread international condemnation over apparent lack of due process. Sheikh Imran has meanwhile been under police custody for 130 days while his trial on terrorism charges remains stalled.
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