MDP activist Shamin released after 13 days in custody

Opposition MDP activist Mohamed Shamin, who was arrested in connection with last month’s protest, was released on Tuesday.

Shamin was arrested on September 8 on allegations of obstructing police officers and crossing barricades placed to block the road during the August 28 MDP rally. The Criminal Court initially remanded him for 10 days, and later extended the remand by three additional days after it expired on Friday.

Upon his release, Shamin said that freedom of assembly is a constitutional right and that he does not accept what he described as injustice by the current administration toward citizens exercising that right. He said the MDP will continue its work.

Alhamdhulilaahi. Welcome back brother @mohamedshamin10 ???????????? pic.twitter.com/nFft7undJU

— Maimoon (@mrsays_) September 22, 2026

MDP Legal Director and party lawyer Ahmed Mauroof told Sun that the Criminal Court decided to release Shamin at 11:30 pm on Tuesday, but police did not release him until 5 pm the following day. He said the party believes this amounted to illegal detention, and that Shamin should have been released immediately once the court decided not to extend his remand. Mauroof said he intends to file a separate case in the Civil Court seeking a declaration that the detention was unlawful.

Shamin was previously arrested in December 2024 over a protest by taxi drivers and was later released on conditions.

Police also arrested MDP activist Ahmed Maimoon Mohamed in connection with last month’s protest. He was released after completing his five‑day remand.