The Prosecutor General's (PG) Office has pressed charges against Dr. Shazra Ibrahim and Aishath Shadhiya who were arrested for protesting near foreign embassies in the Maldives.
PG Office Spokesperson Ahmed Shafeeu told Adhadhu that the charges were filed against Shazra and Shadhiya before the deadline for filing charges expired last week and the case has been submitted to the Criminal Court.
The charges:
- Under Article 533 of the Penal Code - Obstruction of other activities of the State (basic punishment: four months and 24 days in prison)
- Under Article 615 of the Penal Code - a person in a public place who knowingly causes distress, annoyance, or fear to another person by his or her actions by making unreasonable loud noises. (Basic punishment: one month and six days in prison)
If convicted, they could face up to six months in jail.
Police said Shazra, 36 and Shadhiya, 47, were arrested with a court order for repeatedly protesting near diplomatic missions in violation of the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act, acting in a manner that disturbs an ambassador and obstructing police duty.
They were arrested on August 28 for protesting near embassies and calling for an end to Israel's genocide against Palestinians Their remand was extended twice. Both the orders were appealed in the High Court.
The High Court ruled that the Criminal Court's detention and remand order was in violation of Article 13 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure in Conducting Trials. The court decided that the detention was unlawful.
The PG Office has appealed the High Court's decision at the Supreme Court.
Many people on social media called for the release of the anti-Israeli protestors.
