- Friday, April 19, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
SIX people were arrested in connection to the storming of the Galolhu National Stadium in Male, the capital of the Maldives, on Tuesday (21) when an India-backed event to celebrate the International Day of Yoga was underway. Many people, allegedly Islamists, entered the venue which was attended by high-profile guests to disrupt the proceedings. The arrested were remanded in police custody, the island-nation’s SunOnline International website said.
The six were identified as Mohamed Nadheem, Mohamed Zilyan, Mohamed Mausoon, Shammy Rasheed Idrees, Mohamed Hussain and Ameen Ahmed. All of them are aged between 30 and 43.
According to the news website, while four of the suspects were remanded in police custody for 60 days, two were remanded for five days.
The yoga event was hosted by the Maldives youth ministry in collaboration with Indian Cultural Centre.
Among the high-profile guests who were present at the event were Indian ambassador to the Maldives Munu Mahawar, diplomats and senior officials from the government of Maldives and general people. They were doing yoga at the venue when it was stormed by people carrying flags showing verses from Shahada (Islamic oath).
They threatened and attacked the participants and vandalised the property. Some people were reportedly injured as well. The venue was shielded by a few police officers when the attack took place and used pepper spray to chase the rioters away.
The president of the Maldives expressed concern over the incident and said an investigation was underway.
The government and opposition of the Maldives were also seen blaming each other over the incident.
