(Photo: File, GSM News)
Malé City, Maldives, 25 April 2025 – GSM News:
Despite clear calls for restraint by the opposition and youth leaders the government of Maldives has escalated response to peaceful youth demonstrations by arresting organisers Aishath Shimon Mohamed and Mahzoom Majidh.
The youth demonstrations have been ongoing for 8 days straight. Tonight all this was disrupted by police violence; in the small island nation the peaceful demonstrations led by the youth, demanding fairness and police accountability as well as proactive action for the investigation into the case of young women who may have been assaulted and thrown from the top of abuilding after attending a drug party at the transport ministers Mohamed Ameen’s home.
(Photo: File, GSM News)
Videos and eye witness reports testify to deeply alarming excessive use of force by the police dragging young women violently. Protesters claim this is part of a culture of silencing peaceful voices, threatening to radicalise the young generation further.
“Maldives Police officers tonight violently attacked peaceful young demonstrators and mercilessly dragged on the streets of Malé brave young leaders of the Youth Justice Movement who have been peacefully demonstrating for rights of a fellow young woman still fighting for her life.
This comes after the police humiliated the young victim, denied her rights, and protected the suspects all outside of the established rules and procedure. Police tonight have proven that young people cannot be trusted with law, order and the safekeeping of our young. The institution has been brought to it’s knees, having succumbed to political influence, forgetting their oaths to the public, and has shown lack of remorse or guilt for several transgressions against the Maldivian people.
(Photo: File, GSM News)
The peaceful demonstrations have been on going in sun, rain and storm for the past 8 days; all without violence. But with art, song and chants. Tonight all this was shattered by police brutality.” said a political commentator who spoke to GSM News on the condition of anonymity due to threats to job security.
Maldives local new medias have reported employees of state owned companies who joined opposition party activities have had their employment terminated immediately.
The Youth Justice Movement has pledged to continue the demonstrations and renew their efforts even with their young leaders in police jail.
The victim of the drug party at the transport minister’s home was transported as an emergency evacuation to Malaysia due to her family’s concerns over victims safety in a government hospital. This news has shaken the nation adding immense pressure on the current government of president Mohamed. President Mohamed’s daughter Yasmine Mohamed Muizzu has public defended the alleged rapists and drug party organisers on social media. The organisers include two high level undersecretary of the President’s Office.
