The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has filed a complaint with the National Integrity Commission (NIC) against the police use of excessive force during the journalists' protest outside the People's Majlis on Tuesday.
Police knelt on protesters' heads, dragged them on the ground, injured their wrists and used other brutal methods, causing multiple injuries and damaging clothes and media property.
"We came to the NIC to report these issues. We asked them, 'Why are you not looking into these cases on your own initiative?' There are photos and videos of police brutality all over the media," MDP National Council member Hussain Hassan told reporters in front of the NIC.
Adhadhu journalist Leevan Ali Nasir and taxi driver Mohamed Shamin were arrested during the protest. Police refused to say whether they were arrested or to disclose their location. They were released on the same day due to public pressure.
Journalists have been protesting against the government's media control bill, which restricts freedom of expression and speech in the country. It was passed by the government-controlled parliament on Tuesday.
The government is now facing condemnation from the international community for rushing a draconian legislation without following due process and lacking transparency despite appeals for its withdrawal from the local journalist community.
