Opposition defies police protest curfew

Opposition supporters remained on the streets Sunday night in defiance of a 10:30 pm protest curfew announced by the police earlier in the day.

Some protesters, including a 70-year-old female activist, were taken into custody when riot police moved to disperse the crowd at a busy intersection of the capital’s main thoroughfare.

Special Ops police also cleared out the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party and Jumhooree Party meeting halls.

The police spokesman declared Sunday afternoon that political gatherings on the streets or party meeting halls will be stopped without exception. Superintendent Ahmed Shifan told the press that several complaints have been lodged about disruption to public order due to the nightly demonstrations, alleging that protesters were openly calling for attacks against security forces.

The police warning came shortly after the ruling party announced at a press briefing it would not carry out any political activity after 10:30 pm. The Progressive Party of Maldives’ nightly rally ended before the curfew began last night.

Opposition supporters have been protesting in Malé despite the suspension of the right to freedom of assembly during the ongoing state of emergency.

On-going State of Emergency, curfews, riot police, former Presidents in jail or exile, Supreme Court justices in jail, elected Members of Parliament blocked from the Peoples’ Majlis, protestors pepper sprayed, online troll armies out in force. I mourn #Democracy in #Maldives 🇲🇻

— Atul Keshap🇺🇸 (@USAmbKeshap) February 25, 2018

Main road of Male' City packed with anti-Yameen demonstrators defying the Police curfew issued today. #MaldivesInCrisis #StateOfEmergency pic.twitter.com/EoYHHCPFfv

— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) February 25, 2018