Maldives Police Service has stated that they are investigating the physical altercation that occurred at the parliament chamber on Monday night.
MP of Naifaru constituency Ahmed Shiyam was asked to leave the chamber for repeatedly interrupting Speaker Mohamed Nasheed during the sitting. As per the parliament rules, if a member’s name is called to leave the chamber, and if the person refuses to abide by the order, the Speaker shall call upon the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the member from the hall. However, Shiyam was forcefully removed from the hall by the members of main ruling Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) when he refused to voluntarily leave the chamber, and during the process, Shiyam and two members of MDP were injured.
The opposition coalition members have accused the Speaker of encouraging MDP members to act against MP Shiyam, and of escalating the unrest. The matter has now been reported to the police. Police have confirmed that they have received a report of the confrontation and said the matter is being investigated.
Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has revealed that MP Shiyam's backbone and ribcage had been fractured, and that he has to be on bed rest for four weeks.
MP Ahmed Shiyam at the police station
