Police Deny Use of Force and Injury Claims During Male’ Opposition Protest

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has categorically denied reports that an individual was injured due to excessive force during an opposition-led protest in Malé on April 21. Addressing circulating claims that a man was hospitalized following police intervention, the MPS issued a formal statement refuting any link between their crowd-control operations and the alleged injury. The police maintained that the reports are baseless and that no such incident resulted from their actions during the gathering. According to the MPS, officers did not employ force to manage the protest. The statement emphasized that the police operated within established protocols to maintain order in the capital, asserting that the narrative of police brutality in this instance is inaccurate. Beyond the denial, the police issued a stern warning to the public and media organizations regarding the spread of unverified information. The MPS urged outlets and individuals to exercise journalistic responsibility and refrain from disseminating rumors, arguing that such misinformation erodes public trust in state institutions. The police warned that the spread of false reports can negatively impact the delivery of essential community services by creating unnecessary tension and instability. The MPS reaffirmed its commitment to transparency while calling for a more responsible approach to reporting on security operations in the capital.