Eight people were arrested during an anti-government protest held late Friday night in Malé, with clashes breaking out between demonstrators and police as political tensions continue to escalate in the Maldives. The Maldives Police Service said protesters violated conditions previously agreed upon for the march, including by taking unauthorised routes, disrupting public order, and throwing rocks and water bottles at officers. According to police, some demonstrators also broke barricades, seized police shields, and obstructed law enforcement operations. The protest was organized by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is demanding a reversal of recent constitutional amendments that it says curtail fundamental freedoms and centralize power in the presidency.
The party also called for the protection of media freedoms, improved public health care, and greater self-governance for the islands. In a statement issued Saturday, the MDP condemned what it called excessive force used by police, including pepper spray and riot control measures, and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those detained.
Protesters marched through the capital carrying banners and chanting slogans before a standoff with riot police erupted on Majeedhee Magu, the city’s busiest street. Images showed protesters clashing with officers in full riot gear as the demonstration turned confrontational.
In response, the Government of the Republic of Maldives issued a press statement reiterating its commitment to democratic rights, including the freedom of peaceful assembly as enshrined under Article 32 of the Constitution and the Freedom of Assembly Act (Act No. 1/2013).
“The Government of Maldives respects and fully supports the right to protest and the right to freedom of expression to be exercised peacefully in accordance with the law,” the statement read. The Maldives Police Service, in a separate statement on October 1, emphasized that all protests must comply with the legal framework and must remain within designated routes as approved by police authorities.
Participants were urged to cooperate with officials working to maintain public safety and respect the rights of other citizens. However, according to the Government, protesters defied repeated instructions and forcefully entered Majeedhee Magu, disrupting traffic and public order. The Government accused demonstrators of breaking police barricades, seizing riot shields, and obstructing officers. “The Maldives Police Service acted responsibly and with restraint in ensuring public safety, even in the face of obstruction and provocation from the protesters,” the Government asserted.
The Maldives, a nation of around half a million people spread across over 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, has seen growing political friction under the leadership of President Mohamed Muizzu, elected in 2023.
While the Government insists recent reforms are necessary for governance and national security, opposition parties and civil society groups warn of an erosion of democratic institutions and freedoms. Security in central Malé remains heightened, and authorities have warned that further unauthorized demonstrations may lead to additional arrests.
