Police have launched an investigation into the assault on Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim, two days after the incident occurred last Friday night.
The attack took place while Azim was participating in a protest in Male’, part of a series of ongoing street demonstrations organized by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Following the assault, a brief confrontation broke out between the assailant and protesters at the scene.
Video footage shows police officers active in the area at the time of the incident. However, police did not provide an answer when asked by the press whether any arrests had been made. In a message sent to the media regarding the status of the case, the police confirmed that an investigation is underway.
"The police are investigating an alleged attempt to assault the Male’ City Mayor during a protest held in Male’ on the night of April 24, 2024," the police statement read.
Circulating videos show a man approaching Azim as he marched with the MDP protesters, striking him in the chest and pushing him. Section 120 of the Maldives Penal Code stipulates that touching a person without their consent constitutes an offense.
Mayor Azim accuses government of orchestrating attack during protest
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim claims the assault against him during an MDP protest was orchestrated by the government to silence his criticism. Azim cited state incompetence, including medical shortages and corruption, as the reason for the protests.
In an interview with Adhadhu following the incident, Azim alleged that the attack was a coordinated effort by the government.
"I believe this [attack] was an act planned by the government," Azim said.
He further declared that such attacks would not silence the voice of the people and vowed that future protests would only grow stronger.
"I want to tell this tyrannical government that we will not stop our work for the people just because we are being harmed. You cannot stop us through violence or death. We will make these protests even more powerful," Azim said.
