Former President Mohamed Nasheed has called on the government to immediately release fishermen arrested during a protest by the Bodukanneli Fishermen’s Union (BKMU) on Fishermen’s Day. In a post on X, Nasheed called for the immediate release of Mohamed Sadiq (Jerry), Abdul Lateef Ahmed, and Mohamed Mustafa. He stated that efforts to suppress the rights to assembly, movement, and freedom of expression must stop.

The fishermen were arrested last Thursday while protesting for 24 hours with 49 boats near the President’s Office. Coastguard vessels, military personnel, and police used force to board the boats, arresting four foreigners along with Maldivian fishermen.

BKMU has also called for the release of those arrested.