Falah: Opposition MPs should lose their seat for obstructing police

The lawmakers from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) who joined last weekend’s anti-government rally in the Maldivian capital should lose their Parliament seats, says Ibrahim Falah, the leader of ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)’s parliamentary group.

The main opposition MDP’s ‘Lootuvaifi’ anti-corruption rally kicked off with hundreds of protestors at 09:00 pm Friday from the Artificial Beach in the Henveiru district of Male’. But as the protestors attempted to march along the Majeedhee Magu, the police accused them of diverting from the pre-approved route and blocked their path. Clashes ensued as protestors attempted to force their way through, with the police using pepper spray and sound cannons to control the crowd. Eight protestors were taken into custody, while one suffered a heart attack after reportedly getting pepper-sprayed at close range.

The MDP had lost its majority in the Parliament to the PNC in the 2024 election, and now hold just 12 out of 93 seats.

Many of these parliamentarians had attended Friday’s rally, including South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey), and South Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Nazil, the party’s parliamentary group leader.

During a debate on Monday on an amendment to the Transport Act, Falah, who represents the Inguraidhoo constituency, commented that parliamentarians are supposed to be paragons of virtue and lead by example.

He said that any attempt to overturn a legitimately elected administration without just cause is a “grievous crime” under the Maldivian Constitution.

“If we ourselves do not respect what is written in this [the Constitution] nor follow it, then who will?” said Falah.

Falah described Friday’s rally as “extraordinarily dangerous.”

He said that Mauroof had deliberately gotten between police shields and obstructed officers from performing their legal duties during the rally.

“Actually, if one was to commit such an act despite being a member of Parliament, then the Parliament’s standing orders and even the Constitution must be amended. And even if it is a member of Parliament who commits such a crime then they should lose their seat,” he said.

Falah said that the country will "know no peace” until these legislative changes are made.

He said that the MDP had “nefarious plans” behind its rally.

He also said that the MDP has repeatedly “destroyed” the rule of law and created instability, regardless of whether it is in power or in the opposition.

“Therefore, I have always advocated here in this Parliament that the only way this country can find peace if the MDP is removed from power and another party rules it for some 50 years,” he said.

Falah that the only way things to turn around and improve is “when the old guard in MDP’s leadership get older and reach the age where they are bedridden at home.”

The MDP has accused the police of using excessive force on peaceful protestors, accusing them of pepper-spraying protestors at close range and using LRADs despite the serious risks of permanent hearing damage, dizziness, nausea, and other severe health impacts.

The party has said they are exploring possible legal action under the International Convention Against Torture.

However, these allegations are denied by the police, who said protest had been an unlawful gathering, and that officers had acted “with patience and professionalism to disperse the gathering using lawful means.”

The police also added that three officers were injured during the rally, including one female officer who protesters walked over after she fell down with her shield.

The police have confirmed that eight protestors were arrested from Friday’s rally for “disobeying police orders, obstruction, and damage to police gear.”

On Saturday, six of them were remanded in custody of the police for 15 days. This includes former Dhaandhoo MP Yaugoob Abdulla, former North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, and incumbent president of Maafushi Council, Hassan Solah, as well as Ali Juman, Azeem Ali, and Hassan Shakir.

Meanwhile, 47-year-old Raslaan, the protestor who suffered a heart attack, is being treated at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

MDP has said the heart attack resulted from being exposed to pepper spray at close range and being subjected to LRADs. But the IGMH issued a statement saying there is no scientific evidence that exposure to pepper spray directly causes heart attacks.

An emergency motion over the alleged excessive use of force by police as well as the use of LRADs was pushed out of the Parliament earlier on Monday, as teh PNC used its supermajority to vote it down 40-12.