The Criminal Court has scheduled the trials of youth protest leaders, Aishath Shimon and Mahzoom Majid, to begin on November 24.
They led youth protests in Male' earlier this year to demand justice for a 21-year-old woman who was left to die on a rooftop after falling from a building.
Both of them were arrested during the protests and are now facing criminal prosecution and years in prison.
Shimon was charged under Section 532 of the Penal Code, which states that it is an offence to intentionally prevent or obstruct a law enforcement officer.
Her trial is scheduled to start at 10:00 am on November 24.
The basic punishment for the offence is four months and 24 days in jail. The maximum penalty for the offence is one year in prison.
Mahzoom was charged with assaulting or injuring a police officer.
The Prosecutor General's (PG) Office offered a plea deal, but they rejected the offer because it forces them to admit guilt.
They were arrested during the peaceful protest after authorities claimed they were disrupting businesses and inconveniencing students.
Police used excessive force during the arrest, and both of them sustained various injuries. However, medical care was delayed.
They were remanded in custody, but were later released due to public pressure.






