Saturday, October 25, 2025
29 C
New Delhi

Anti-Muizzu Protests Rock Maldives Over Corruption Allegations; Police Arrest 8 After Clashes

Curated By :

Last Updated:

Thousands in Male protested President Muizzu’s government over corruption and rising prices. MDP led the rally; clashes led to arrests.

Opposition supporters wave Maldivian national flags during an anti-government protest in Male, Maldives. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

Opposition supporters wave Maldivian national flags during an anti-government protest in Male, Maldives. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Male on Friday night accusing President Mohamed Muizzu’s government of corruption and worsening living conditions, in what has become one of the largest demonstrations in the Maldives this year. Police used pepper spray and Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) to disperse the crowd, arresting several protesters as clashes erupted in the capital.

The protest, organised by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), drew former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid to the streets. Chanting “Lootuvaifi, Lootuvaifi!” (meaning “Stop the Loot”) demonstrators alleged widespread graft, rising prices, and attempts by the government to suppress independent media.

Recommended Stories

The MDP said at least six protesters were detained and demanded their immediate release, calling the police response “violent and disproportionate.” Shahid, now the party’s president, condemned what he described as “indiscriminate arrests of peaceful demonstrators” and said the government’s actions were “a violation of constitutional rights.”

The Muizzu administration, however, rejected the charges of police brutality. Homeland Security and Technology Minister Ali Ihusaan shared footage on X claiming protesters forcibly seized equipment from an on-duty police officer.

He said that this conduct could not be considered part of “peaceful political activity.” He added that the police had approved an alternate route for the protest, which the MDP ignored.

In its statement on Saturday, the Maldives government reaffirmed its commitment to the right to peaceful assembly but insisted that Friday’s rally violated the Freedom of Assembly Act. It said protesters had defied the designated route and forced their way into Majeedhee Magu, the busiest street in Male, “disrupting public order, breaking police barricades, and obstructing law enforcement duties.”

“The Maldives Police Service acted responsibly and with restraint in ensuring public safety, even in the face of provocation,” the government said, adding that it “respects and fully supports” the right to protest within the law.

The MDP, the country’s largest opposition party, maintains that the Muizzu government has undermined democratic freedoms and allowed corruption to deepen economic distress. The party said the “Lootuvaifi” protests would continue until the administration “restores accountability and transparency.”

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author

Shankhyaneel Sarkar
Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More

News world Anti-Muizzu Protests Rock Maldives Over Corruption Allegations; Police Arrest 8 After Clashes
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Loading comments…

Read More

Go to Source

Hot this week

How Russian mercenaries in Mali exploit military equipment

(Photo credit: AP) It’s said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words; a photo posted on Telegram in December 2024 proves just how accurate that expression really is. Read More

Fact check: Has Germany canceled Christmas markets in 2025?

An AI-generated image Christmas may still be months away, but Germany’s supermarkets are already brimming with gingerbread, advent calendars and festive decorations. Read More

Punjabi truck driver Jashanpreet Singh pleads not guilty in US, requires a translator for next hearing

Court documents reveal Jashanpreet Singh would require a Punjabi translator for his next court apperance. Read More

Can the West break China’s grip on rare earths?

AI generated image The trade conflict between the US and China shows no signs of easing, with both sides digging in, hoping they can endure the economic pain longer than the other. Read More

‘We want to breathe’: Hundreds march in Tunisia’s capital over worsening pollution

Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital Tunis on Saturday to protest a severe environmental crisis caused by pollution from a state chemical plant in Gabes, as protests that began there widen outside the southern city. Read More

Topics

How Russian mercenaries in Mali exploit military equipment

(Photo credit: AP) It’s said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words; a photo posted on Telegram in December 2024 proves just how accurate that expression really is. Read More

Fact check: Has Germany canceled Christmas markets in 2025?

An AI-generated image Christmas may still be months away, but Germany’s supermarkets are already brimming with gingerbread, advent calendars and festive decorations. Read More

Punjabi truck driver Jashanpreet Singh pleads not guilty in US, requires a translator for next hearing

Court documents reveal Jashanpreet Singh would require a Punjabi translator for his next court apperance. Read More

Can the West break China’s grip on rare earths?

AI generated image The trade conflict between the US and China shows no signs of easing, with both sides digging in, hoping they can endure the economic pain longer than the other. Read More

‘We want to breathe’: Hundreds march in Tunisia’s capital over worsening pollution

Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital Tunis on Saturday to protest a severe environmental crisis caused by pollution from a state chemical plant in Gabes, as protests that began there widen outside the southern city. Read More

‘I Am Not Done’: Kamala Harris Signals Another US Presidential Run

Kamala Harris said no final decision has been made, but added she believes a woman will eventually become president of the United States. Read More

‘Hypocrisy’: Pawan Khera slams BJP over Australian women cricketers harassment case; claims Centre acts only in Congress states

Congress leader Pawan Khera (IANS) NEW DELHI: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday slammed the BJP for what he called “hypocrisy” after two Australian women cricketers were allegedly “approached and touched in Read More

Fugitive Gangster Lakhvinder Kumar Associated With Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Deported From US

Lakhvinder Kumar was wanted by Haryana Police in multiple criminal cases relating to extortion, intimidation, illegal possession and use of a firearm and attempt to murder. Read More

Related Articles