Maldives Police Service (MPS) has arrested two more individuals in relation to the violent disruption of the World Yoga Day event held at the National Stadium on June 21. MPS stated that a 29-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were arrested following a court order on July 27.
MPS arrested a total of 21 individuals over the incident, which include some politicians and religious scholars. However, six of the suspects have since been released. MPS stated the suspects were released in accordance with the legal procedures and that the investigation will continue despite their release.
The International Yoga Day event was held on June 21 at the National Stadium with Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof, Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar, and foreign diplomats in attendance. The violent disruption occurred after several individuals gathered nearby to protest the event and later broke through the police barricades and entered the stadium.
The Serious and Organised Crime Department of the Crime Investigation Command of the MPS is investigating the incident. MPS stated that the perpetrators had sought to incite fear by forcefully entering, destroying property, and attempting to assault participants of the event.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that the incident is being treated as a matter of serious concern and those responsible will be swiftly brought before the law. Additionally, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed said that he was deeply concerned over the actions taken by police officers during the disruption at the event and will support any inquiry conducted by relevant authorities. He said the MPS is internally reviewing the police operation and will extend full cooperation to all inquiries conducted by relevant authorities. He also said that MPS will focus on taking swift action against those who unlawfully disrupted the event and also take corrective steps to improve police operations.