The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) on Monday used its strong majority in Parliament to reject an emergency motion filed by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The motion accused the government of using excessive force and sound cannons, known as Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), to break up protesters during anti-government rally in Male’.
The MDP’s ‘Lootuvaifi’ anti-corruption rally began at 9:00 pm on Friday at the Artificial Beach in Henveiru, with hundreds of protesters. When they tried to march along Majeedhee Magu, police said they had left the approved route and blocked the way. Clashes broke out as protestors tried to push through, with police using pepper spray and LRADs to control the crowd. Eight protestors were arrested, and Mohamed Raslaan, the party’s vice president from Central Hulhumale’, suffered a heart attack after reportedly being sprayed at close range.
The use of LRADs sparked public criticism. Protestors, local residents, and journalists reported ear pain, headaches, and dizziness.
On Monday, South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, who joined Friday’s rally, presented an emergency motion accusing the government of using police to stop and escalate a peaceful protest. He said LRADs were used without warning and posed serious health risks, including hearing damage and mental stress. He also noted that no official policy exists for using LRADs on civilians, making the action illegal. The motion was rejected by the PNC with a 40-12 vote.
The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has launched an investigation into the police response. An online petition calling for an inquiry into LRAD use has already gathered over 180 signatures.The MDP claims police used excessive force, including close-range pepper spraying and LRADs, which can cause permanent hearing loss, dizziness, nausea, and other health problems. The party is considering legal action under the International Convention Against Torture.
Police deny the allegations, saying the protest was unlawful and officers acted professionally. They also reported that three officers were injured, including a female officer who fell while trying to control the crowd. Eight protestors were arrested for “disobeying police orders, obstruction, and damage to police equipment.” Six of them were remanded for 15 days, including former MPs Yaugoob Abdulla and Yasir Abdul Latheef, Maafushi Council president Hassan Solah, and Ali Juman, Azeem Ali, and Hassan Shakir.
Raslaan, 47, who suffered a heart attack, is being treated at the Coronary Care Unit of Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). The MDP says the heart attack was caused by pepper spray and LRAD exposure, which police are not allowed to use for crowd control. The hospital issued a statement saying there is no scientific proof that pepper spray directly causes heart attacks, prompting criticism and accusations of violating patient privacy.
The MDP says it will file complaints with the Human Rights Commission and the National Integrity Commission.
