The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Saturday condemned what it called the “violent dispersal” of peaceful protesters in Malé and the use of Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) by police in a crackdown that led to several arrests.
“Although 13 have been reported to be arrested, the Police has not verified the details of the arrests,” the MDP said in a statement. It added that those detained included two former lawmakers and the sitting president of Maafushi Council, and that they had been denied access to legal counsel.
The protest on Friday night, organised by the MDP and backed by the Adhaalath Party under the slogan ‘Lootuvaifi Lootuvaifi,’ drew thousands of demonstrators, including hundreds who travelled from other islands, despite government attempts to restrict the gathering, according to organisers.
In one incident, MDP constituency vice president Mohamed Raslaan suffered a heart attack after being exposed to pepper spray at close range and subjected to LRADs, the party said. “The use of LRADs is unprecedented in the Maldives and poses serious risks of permanent hearing damage, dizziness, nausea, and other severe health impacts,” it added.
Police deployed pepper spray and high-decibel sound waves to disperse protesters as they attempted to march through the capital’s main street, Majeedhee Magu.
“These events highlight the rapid erosion of democracy in the Maldives,” the MDP said. “Under President Muizzu, the government has increasingly resorted to authoritarian tactics—undermining judicial independence, silencing the media, and now deploying dangerous weapons against citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.”
The party called for the immediate release of those detained and urged “the international community to act swiftly and pressure the Muizzu administration to end this brutality and uphold the democratic rights and freedoms of the Maldivian people.”
President Mohamed Muizzu’s government, which has faced mounting criticism over economic mismanagement, rising debt, and corruption allegations, has in recent months pushed through constitutional amendments expanding presidential powers and bringing media oversight under executive control.
Police have not commented on the MDP’s claims regarding the LRADs or the denial of access to lawyers.