Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has condemned the charges against Aishath Shiman Ahmed and Abdulla Mahzoom Majidh – two leading figures of the recent serial protests led by youths demanding justice for the young woman who was found injured on the rooftop of a building in Male’ on April 18th – while calling them politically motivated.
21-year-old Mariyam Yumnu was found injured on the rooftop of a warehouse in the Henveiru district at around 07:30 am on April 18.
The case of Yumnu, who spent nearly three hours on the rooftop of a warehouse before a neighbor saw her and alerted the authorities, has sparked serial protests in Male’, largely led by youths. The protests were prompted by allegations of a police coverup after it became known that the individuals involved have family links to influential figures.
Both Shiman and Mahzoom had been arrested during the protests and released shortly afterwards.
On Thursday, Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) announced it had pressed charges against both individuals, adding that the charges were pursued because the individuals declined to enter into reprimand agreements.
Fayyaz, via a post on X on Thursday night, condemned the decision to press charges against Shiman and Mahzoom.
“It is preposterous at best that these youngsters are unjustly thrown into the criminal justice system simply for exercising their freedom of expression and right to protest,” he said. 
Strongly condemn the decision to press criminal charges on @MahzoomMajidh and @dh0nkeyo. It is preposterous at best that these youngsters are unjustly thrown into the criminal justice system simply for exercising their freedom of expression and right to protest. Unfortunate to…
— Fayyaz Ismail (@faya_i) July 3, 2025
Fayyaz stressed that it is unfortunate to witness he recurrence of politically motivated sham trials, adding it is a pathetic attempt by the government to muzzle the expression of discontent by the youth.
Mahzoom was charged under Article 120 (b) of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of one month and six days.
According to PG Office, Mahzoom was charged because he had pushed a police officer by the chest when officers seized a loudspeaker he was using during the protest held on the night of May 1st.
Meanwhile, Shiman was charged under Article 532 (a) of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of four months and 24 days.
PG Office said Shiman was charged for obstructing police officers by breaking through and entering a police line during the seizure of the loudspeaker.