Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has described the protest staged by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Friday as an orchestrated act of terrorism against the rule of law, carried out under the guise of freedom of expression in violation of the Constitution and the laws of the country.
He made the remarks in a message shared on social media.
In his post, the Vice President strongly condemned the MDP's attempt to disrupt peace and order in the country in the name of a peaceful protest. He accused the party leadership of deliberately disrupting an event permitted with police cooperation, calling it a cowardly act. He added that this demonstrated that the MDP itself had failed to uphold the very principles it claimed to advocate.
The Vice President also thanked the police for their courage and determination in dispersing the protest, ensuring the safety of the public and protecting national interests.
The Parliament Speaker, Abdulla Raheem Abdulla also condemned the MDP’s actions at the so-called peaceful rally. In a social media post, he commended the police for their patience and determination in handling the planned attack against officers by the protestors. He congratulated the police for their efforts in maintaining peace and harmony in the country.
The Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsan also weighed in, stating that forcibly taking equipment from an on-duty police officer is not considered a peaceful political activity, as it involved coercive or violent actions that disrupt law enforcement duties.
Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar said the MDP protest highlighted public confidence in President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership, adding that the people do not want unrest in the country. He stressed that peaceful protests are possible within legal boundaries, and noted that the professionalism of the police is improving.
In a similar post, the Minister of Higher Education and Skills Development, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed commended the patience, vigilance and professionalism of the police in preventing the clashes planned by the MDP. The Minister said no one should accept efforts to create unrest or instil fear in society.
According to the police, protestors veered off the pre-approved route of their march by walking along Majeedhee Magu despite repeated warnings. The police said protesters threw stones and water bottles at officers, attempted to seize their equipment and obstructed officers from carrying out their duties. Therefore, legal action will be taken against those who committed these acts, the police said.