Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu did not appear to have been assaulted during a disturbance that occurred on Tuesday morning as he visited Alif Alif Mathiveri on a campaign trip, the police have said.
PPM supporters on social media have been alleging an attempt to assault Muizzu and sharing a video of the incident.
Live coverage from Sangu TV shows a man starting to argue with Muizzu as the candidate shook hands with supporters lined up to greet him. The people around Muizzu could then be seen leading the man away.
The video also shows police officers preventing another man from approaching Muizzu.
The police said a man was taken into custody over a disturbance after an argument between two people with vulgar hand gestures. He was released after questioning.
"From what we've learned so far, there does not appear to have been an attempt to assault PNC presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu," reads a text message sent from the police to the media.
A person who spoke to Adhadhu from Mathiveri said that a group of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters were watching from a short distance as Muizzu greeted supporters and one of them ran towards the welcome ceremony saying he was going to shake Muizzu's hand. That was the man seen in the video wearing a black T-shirt.
When he reached Muizzu and held out his hand, PPM supporters pushed him aside. Another MDP supporter also ran towards Muizzu but was stopped by police officers.
"They are still there after they were pushed back. No one was arrested," the source said.
The police have been providing security to Dr. Muizzu as mandated by law for presidential candidates. MDP and PPM supporters also clashed in Kaafu Guraidhoo before Muizzu visited on a campaign trip.
