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19th MAY 2006

Over hundred protestors arrested, including minors

Friends of Maldives (FOM) are increasingly concerned regarding the deteriorating situation in the Maldives. There have been nightly demonstrations in the capital city Male over the last 4 nights with over 100 demonstrators arrested including minors.

FOM fears that the arrests are an attempt to remove key pro-democracy activists prior to the probable sentencing of Mohamed Nasheed, the chairman of the Maldivian Democratic Party on Sunday the 21st of May 2006.

The demonstrations seem to be led by pro-democracy activists frustrated about the failure of President Gayooms Roadmap to reform milestones.  

Aishath Sheryn

Ms Aishath Sheryn, currently under house arrest for participating at the MDP led demonstration to remove the unelected members of parliament.  She claims she was physically and verbally abused during her arrest. Her husband was taken under custody on his way from work in connection with Ms Sheryn’s political activities. He is currently held in Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre. Their children demonstrated in the afternoon of Friday the 19th of May in front of the police station among a few hundred people calling for the release of the prisoners. The children aged 15, 12 and 4 years old were arrested and kept under custody for a few hours.  Ms Sheryn is unable to attend to her shop due to her house arrest; likewise her husband still in custody cannot provide for their children.

Nusrath Najeeb

A volunteer for the Maldivian Detainees Network, Nuzrath Najeeb was arrested with other members of her family on Thursday the 18th of May. They are held in Dhoonidhoo detention centre.

FOM calls on the Government of Maldives to:

• Refrain from arresting children
• Refrain from using excessive police force on peaceful protestors
• End arbitrary arrest
• Control the pro-government thugs trying to incite violence on the streets
• Refrain attacking journalists from the Minivan (Independent) Newspaper and Minivan Radio
• Grant Mohamed Nasheed a fair trial

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Friends of Maldives
UK spokesperson: David Hardingham +44 (0)7812 166453

64 Milford Street
Salisbury
SP1 2BP
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1722 504330
E: enquiries@friendsofmaldives.org
W: www.friendsofmaldives.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

Friends of Maldives – www.friendsofmaldives.org