In a statement released today, the Maldives Police Service reaffirmed its firm commitment to professionalism and accountability, following a security operation carried out outside the People’s Majlis on 16 September 2025. The operation was conducted lawfully to protect national institutions and public safety, ensuring order without the use of forceful crowd-control measures.
Safeguarding Parliament and Public Safety
According to the Police, officers were deployed from early morning to secure the Majlis perimeter, manage traffic, and maintain order as protestors gathered in the restricted zone. Police highlighted that the protest constituted an unlawful assembly under the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act (Law No. 1/2013), as no prior approval had been granted and the Majlis area is not among the designated sites for gatherings.
Preventing Escalation with Maximum Restraint
The Police confirmed that while some individuals attempted to breach barricades and obstruct security operations, officers responded with repeated warnings and lawful instructions. No tear gas, pepper spray, or batons were used at any stage of the operation. Instead, the situation was managed through communication and guidance, with limited physical restraint applied only where absolutely necessary.
Uninterrupted Parliamentary Work
Protesters were gradually dispersed from the restricted area, and roads surrounding the Majlis were cleared without major injuries to either demonstrators or officers. This ensured that parliamentary proceedings continued without disruption, maintaining both institutional integrity and public order.
Addressing Misleading Allegations
The Police Service firmly rejected allegations of brutality, noting that viral images circulating in the media had been misrepresented. Police clarified that the individual shown was not a journalist but an unlawful participant in the gathering, and that the photograph was selectively framed to create a false impression of events.
Upholding Accountability
The Police underscored their constitutional duty to safeguard rights while protecting critical state institutions. To ensure transparency, the Professional Standards Command has initiated a review of the operation, with a pledge that any breach of protocol or misconduct will face disciplinary or legal consequences.
Concluding the statement, the Maldives Police Service thanked the public for their cooperation and assured citizens of its ongoing commitment to fairness, accountability, and professionalism in all operations.
