The Court has ordered the release of religious scholar Sheikh Fazloon Mohamed, who has been in police custody for almost a month over the Yoga Day unrest.
On June 21, a group stormed the National Stadium while an event to mark International Yoga Day was ongoing. The event was held despite religious scholars advising against it, as yoga is considered impermissible in Islam under several fatwas. Twenty-one people, including two religious scholars, were arrested, and six have been released until now. The remand of the remaining arrestees has been extended repeatedly.
Fazloon was released on conditions that he notifies the court if he traveled outside Male' or abroad. He was asked to inform the court his residential address and any changes to his address. The court also ordered him to cooperate with the police investigation.
Sheikh Adam Nishan and Sheikh Fazloon were arrested on June 22. Police allege the two scholars encouraged violence, despite video footage from the event that showed the scholars asking protestors to maintain peace.
Although Sheikh Fazloon has been released, Sheikh Nishan still remains in custody. The court most recently extended his remand by 16 days
