The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council member Hussain Hassan's lawyer has said a lawsuit will be filed against the police over his unlawful arrest.
Lawyer Ibrahim Shiyam said Hussain was detained unlawfully.
“Hussain was not arrested on charges of a crime. Police do not have the legal authority to arrest a person except on charges of a criminal offence. Therefore, Hussain was arrested unlawfully. We will sue the police," he said.
Hussain, who represents his native island of Gaaf Alif Villingili in the MDP National Council, was arrested on Wednesday night for photographing during a police operation by the drug enforcement unit.
According to the remand request filed by the police in the Criminal Court, Hussain was arrested on charges of committing 14 offences. These include charges of touching, hitting, soliciting and attempting to commit a crime.
During the hearing, the police told the court that Hussain was arrested because he took photographs during a police operation, for refusing to delete the photos and attempting to take more pictures.
But his charges do not include taking pictures. Witnesses told Adhadhu that police did not use crime scene tape to stop the public from entering the area of the operation.
Shiyam told reporters that Hussain sustained injuries to his hand when he was arrested.
He was released on Thursday on condition that he cooperate with the police investigation.
