Police have defended the use of excessive force against protesters and journalists near the People's Majlis on Tuesday after blaming photo angles for widespread images showing police brutality.
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 during the protest against the media control bill.
In a statement, police defended the abuse and said no gathering, march or procession of any kind could be held without written permission from the police.
The police cannot interfere with the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution. But the police have declared the demonstration near the parliament an illegal gathering.
"We note that an image circulated in the media has been presented without proper context. The individual shown was a participant in an unlawful gathering, not present in the capacity of a journalist. The photo taken at a selective angle, creates a misleading impression and does not reflect the overall conduct of the operation, during which officers exercised maximum restraint and professionalism," it stated.
Police said the Professional Standards Command is conducting a review of the police's actions in dispersing the protesters.
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.
