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MDP slams deputy chairperson's 'politically motivated' arrest

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Saturday bemoaned the seven day house arrest handed to the party's deputy chairperson Ali Niyaz saying that his arrest impeded its preparations for the upcoming local council elections.

Police arrested Niyaz from the protest on Friday against the court ordered delay of the upcoming local council elections.

Criminal court had ordered seven days house arrest for Niyaz after he was produced for a remand extension.

Niyaz handles MDP's finances and also represents the party in the advisory committee constituted by the elections commission for the local council polls.

MDP in a statement condemned Niyaz's 'politically motivated' arrest designed to impede its preparations for the upcoming local council elections.

The civil court had last week postponed the council polls originally slated for January 14 by two months.

Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) filed the case seeking to delay the upcoming council polls by two months citing that the ongoing rift within the party had impeded its preparations for the elections slated for January 14.

Niyaz has been accused of inciting unrest and urging a protest in an unauthorized venue.