The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly condemned what it described as the “violent dispersal” of peaceful protesters in Malé on Friday night, along with the arrests made during the demonstration.

According to the party, 13 individuals were detained during the protest, including two former Members of Parliament and the sitting President of Maafushi Council. The MDP claimed that those arrested have not yet been granted access to legal counsel, while police have yet to confirm official details of the arrests.

In a statement released on Saturday, the MDP alleged that its Constituency Vice President, Mohamed Raslaan, suffered a heart attack after being exposed to pepper spray at close range and subjected to Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) — a crowd control technology rarely used in the Maldives. The party expressed grave concern over the health implications of such devices, citing risks of hearing damage, dizziness, and nausea.

The opposition party accused the government of an escalating “crackdown” on democratic freedoms, claiming that the current administration has increasingly employed “authoritarian tactics” such as silencing the media, undermining judicial independence, and using force against peaceful demonstrators.

The MDP called for the immediate release of all detainees and demanded an investigation into the alleged use of excessive force. The statement also urged the international community to press the government to respect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and uphold democratic principles.

Authorities have not yet issued a response to the allegations.