Ousted ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has officially filed a complaint to the police chief after the former president was forced to call off a small rally on Wednesday after police warned of possible unrest.
Gayoom's daughter Yumna Maumoon told reporters later that the rally was cancelled after police warned of possible unrest.
Gayoom in a letter to police commissioner Ahmed Areef referred to the constitutional right to assembly which cannot be curtailed by any state institution without a justifiable reason.
"There is no reason why a political party leader cannot meet party members," Gayoom in his letter said.
He also urged the police chief to look into the matter accusing police of violating the law.
Gayoom lost a bitter power struggle for party control with his half brother and incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom after the country's civil court handed over party reins to the younger Gayoom.
The rift between the two brothers has split the party in two which ultimately ended with the elder Gayoom publicly withdrawing support for his brother.
