The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the government of exerting political influence to have the people arrested from the fishermen’s protest remanded in police custody.
The protest, organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) - a trade union of yellowfin tuna fishermen – kicked off on Wednesday from the Hulhumale’ jetty, before heading to Male’ City.
According to the BKMU, some 60 fishing boats joined in the protest, accusing the government of failing on its promise to purchase and market yellowfin tuna, and secure a steady revenue stream for fishermen.
The police stormed the boats on Thursday, and took eight protestors into custody; four Maldivians and four expatriates. The four expatriates were handed over to Immigration, while the other four – accused of obstruction - were taken to the Criminal Court on Friday, which remanded them in custody of the police for five days.
Among the detainees are Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir, a lawmaker from the MDP and the secretary-general of BKMU.
The four protestors remanded in police custody:
Mauroof Zakir, 40
Mohamed Mustafa, 44
Abdul Latheef Ahmed, 56
Mohamed Sadiq, 44
The MDP issued a statement on Saturday morning condemning the decision to remand the protestors.
The party said that while the Constitution dictates that arrestees must be presented before a judge for their remand hearing within 24 days, the police only took four of the eight detainees to court.
“The decision to have the other four people detained without producing them at court for a decision on their remand is unconstitutional,” reads the statement.
The MDP also condemned the decision to remand the other four suspects, describing it as a decision that “violates the Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Code, and standard court protocol.”
“This party condemns this decision as it is unconstitutional and was made because of the government’s political influence,” reads the statement.
The MDP demanded the immediate release of all detainees.
The BKMU has demanded that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration deliver three pledges in their manifesto. They are:
Having Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) begin purchase of yellowfin tuna.
Setting the floor price for yellowfin tuna to MVR 80 – MVR 100 per kilo.
Supplying fuel to fishermen at the base rate and improving access to ice
The union said that yellowfin tuna fishermen are deeply disillusioned over the failure to deliver these pledges.
They have vowed to continue the protest until the government meets their demands.