Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated charges will be pressed against most individuals who were arrested for breaching lockdown orders in the Greater Male’ Region on multiple occasions.
Speaking at a press conference, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Fairoosh revealed 328 people have been arrested for multiple breaches of lockdown orders. The assistant commissioner said more than half of them have been released, with charges against them forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office. He added MPS plans to press charges against most of the individuals currently in custody as well.
Speaking further, Assistant Commissioner Fairoosh revealed 5,874 people have been fined for breaching lockdown orders in the capital. In response to a question whether MPS plans to forgive any fines, the assistant commissioner said it is not something that can be decided by the police, noting such decisions will be taken by relevant authorities. He added MPS handed out fines to individuals after giving at least two warnings.
Furthermore, the assistant commissioner said the best time for the public to go out for any essential purposes during the first phase of easing lockdown restrictions is between 0900hrs and 2100hrs. He said individuals from 31,000 households of Male’ City are expected to go out for different purposes, adding the police will try to ensure the streets are not overcrowded when issuing permits for individuals to go out.