The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has advised journalists instead of condemning police officers for allegedly beating up a journalist who was arrested while operating a drone in Hulhumale' Phase 2.
Hamdhan Ahmed, a multi-media journalist for One Online, alleged that the police had beaten him.
The MJA said it was looking into the alleged police brutality. But the MJA did not condemn the police.
“This association advises journalists to conduct themselves in accordance with the general code of conduct and to obtain permission in accordance with the laws and regulations of Maldives,” the MJA said.
In a post on Facebook, Hamdhan said he was testing the drone and flew it up to seven feet when two police officers approached him and demanded he show a permit for operating drones.
Hamdhan said police began using profanities towards him when they found the press accreditation card in his wallet.
He made a Facebook live of the incident with the police. Both the police and Hamdhan could be heard using offensive language.
He alleged that they detained him, took him to the police station in Hulhumale Phase 2 and beat his face while strangling him. Hamdhan said five police officers were involved in beating him.
In a message to the media, police denied any police brutality and said they were looking into the matter.
Police said Hamdhan was not arrested, but was taken to the police station for questioning after he used offensive language and refused to obey police orders and show the permit to operate the drone.
