2015 May Day protests in the Maldives

None October 2026 October 2026 2015 May Day protest in the Maldives 2015 05 01 yes Malé, Maldives Presidency of Abdulla Yameen Sentencing of former President Mohamed Nasheed Jailing of Mohamed Nazim Alleged government injustice of the disappearance case of Ahmed Rilwan Authoritarianism of the government * Release of Mohamed Nasheed Release of Mohamed Nazim Justice for Ahmed Rilwan * Maldivian Democratic Party Jumhooree Party Adhaalath Party * Government of the Maldives Maldives Police Service Maldives National Defence Force Imran AbdullaAli WaheedAmeen Ibrahim Abdulla YameenAhmed Adeeb 20,000+ 100+1 May 2015 Opposition leaders arrested in late-night crackdown https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/live-blog-male-gears-up-for-may-day-97265 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent ~100 193 175 30 The 2015 May Day protests in the Maldives were anti-government demonstrations over alleged brutality and governemnt injustice on 1 May 2015. Background In March 2015, former President Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to thirteen years in Maafushi Prison for terrorism.13 March 2015 Maldives ex-leader Mohammed Nasheed jailed for 13 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31881207 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150315085343/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31881207 15 March 2015 23 October 2026 BBC News Condemnations followed by Amnesty International and called the trial flawed,13 March 2015 Maldives: 13 year sentence for former president 'a travesty of justice' https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/03/maldives-mohamed-nasheed-convicted-terrorism/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20150511011700/https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/03/maldives-mohamed-nasheed-convicted-terrorism/ 11 May 2015 21 August 2026 Amnesty International which echoed calls from the International Commission of Jurists.26 March 2015 Maldives: grossly unfair Nasheed conviction highlights judicial politicization https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Maldives-Background-Brief-Nasheed-Trial-Advocacy-Anylysis-brief-2015-ENG.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20260918194313/https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Maldives-Background-Brief-Nasheed-Trial-Advocacy-Anylysis-brief-2015-ENG.pdf 18 September 2026 18 September 2026 International Commission of Jurists The United States Department of State expressed concern over the apparent "lack of appropriate criminal procedure".14 March 2015 Maldives sentences Mohamed Nasheed to 13 years in prison http://indianexpress.com/article/world/asia/maldives-sentences-mohamed-nasheed-to-13-years-in-prison subscription live https://web.archive.org/web/20150314091632/http://indianexpress.com/article/world/asia/maldives-sentences-mohamed-nasheed-to-13-years-in-prison/ 14 March 2015 14 March 2015 The Indian Express Following this, Specialist Operations (SO) police officers started to conduct training exercises ahead of May Day, with the opposition alliance—Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP), and the Adhaalath Party (AP)—calling for President Abdulla Yameen to end brutality for Maldivians and to negotiate with the opposition.Hameed Shafaa 26 April 2015 Riot police conduct training exercises ahead of May Day rally https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/riot-police-conduct-training-exercises-ahead-of-may-day-rally-96992 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Yameen dismissed the call and refused to negotiate.Hameed Shafaa 27 April 2015 President dismisses calls for resignation https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/president-dismisses-calls-for-resignation-97048 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The opposition and the Maldives Police Service has raised fears of violence at the mass government protest, with AP alleging that government ministers are releasing convicts on Friday to incite violence as a pretext to crack down on protesters.Hamid Ismail Humaam 28 April 2015 Opposition, police raise fears of violence on May Day https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/opposition-police-raise-fears-of-violence-on-may-day-97071 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent In response, President Yameen called on armed forces to protect the administration amid weakening rule of law.Rasheed Zaheena 28 April 2015 President calls on army to defend government as international pressure increases https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/president-calls-on-army-to-defend-maldives-from-international-scrutiny-97120 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Thousands arrived from the rural atolls of the Maldives, to the capital, Malé, where the protest will be held. Ilyas Labeeb, a former MDP MP claimed that 2000 people have arrived in Malé on 29 April, with an additional 3000 expected to arrive by boat on 1 May.Hameed Shafaa 29 April 2015 Thousands arrive in Malé for May Day protest, police threaten crackdown https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/thousands-arrive-in-male-for-may-day-protest-police-threaten-crackdown-97136 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The opposition began a media campaign with the hashtags #EkehFaheh15 (OneFive15) and #AniyaaverikanNinmman (To end tyranny), and began to circulate leaflets on reducing effects of pepper spray and gas. The police have also released several photos and videos of protest control trainings this week.Hameed Shafaa 30 April 2015 Fear and festivity in Malé on the eve of May Day protest https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/fear-and-festivity-in-male-on-the-eve-of-may-day-protest-97199 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Protest An estimate of 20,000 protestorsBosley Daniel 1 May 2015 Maldives police: 'zero tolerance' for anti-govt. protests https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/maldives-police-zero-tolerance-for-anti-govt-protests/51603 23 October 2026 Anadolu Agency set off on a march throughout Majeedhee Magu in Malé. They stopped at the western edge where opposition leaders spoke to the crowd of Maldivians. MDP Chairperson Ali Waheed stated he would not leave until Nasheed was released and AP President Imran Abdulla led a prayer for courage to remain steadfast and for mercy from the security forces.3 May 2015 Editorial: What we saw and heard on May Day https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/editorial-what-we-saw-and-heard-on-may-day-97608 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The protesters demanded the release of Mohamed Nasheed, Mohamed Nazim, justice for missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan, and against the government's authoritarianism.Hameed Shafaa 9 May 2015 50 May Day detainees released, but may face charges https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/50-may-day-detainees-released-but-may-face-charges-97878 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent An announcement came to attend Maghrib (Dusk) prayers at the Islamic Centre. As crowds broke up, police officers blocked off all the roads to the mosque, leading to clashes between protesters and police officers. Armed forces used pepper spray and beat protesters with batons. Waheed and Abdulla turned away from the protesters marching through police lines, which protesters subsequently followed. The protest later became disorganised as many left home and sought refuge at nearby mosques. Arrests Police forcefully entered private homes and pepper sprayed residents. They also started to indiscriminately arrest protesters at random, packing them into lorries and driving at high speed. Abdulla, Waheed, and JP's deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim were arrested.2 May 2015 Maldives arrests leaders of opposition parties after violent protests https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/02/maldives-arrests-opposition-leaders-imran-abdulla-violent-protests 6 January 2026 The Guardian Associated Press Police say that 193 people were arrested in the protest, the largest in the country's history at a single protest.3 May 2015 May Day! Hear our voices! https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/photo-story-may-day-hear-our-voices-97581 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Transparency Maldives noted that many of the people arrested had been innocent by-standers.13 April 2016 2015 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Maldives https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdos/2016/en/109793 23 October 2026 United States Department of State Refworld Reception Government's response On 2 May, the Maldivian governmnet held a fireworks display and declaring that the protest was a faliure. MPs of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives branded the protest as an attempted coup,Rasheed Zaheena 2 May 2015 Government celebrates 'protest failure' with fireworks https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/government-celebrates-protest-failure-with-fireworks-97454 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent while the government labelled it as an islamic radicalism campaign.Hamid Ismail Humaam 10 May 2015 Anti-government campaign takes religious turn https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/anti-government-campaign-takes-religious-turn-97912 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Condemnations The Government of Canada condemned the government crackdown of the protest and urged the Maldivian governemnt to "reaffirm its commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law".Hameed Shafaa 4 May 2015 Canada condemns May Day crackdown https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/canada-condemns-may-day-crackdown-97629 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The European Union called on all political parties to open dialogue and condemend the violence on 1 May.Hamid Ismail Humaam 5 May 2015 EU calls for political dialogue to resolve crisis https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/eu-calls-for-political-dialogue-to-resolve-crisis-97672 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Opposition MDP accused the police of disrupting demonstrations by asking for prior notice for protestsHamid Ismail Humaam 6 May 2015 Opposition condemns police obstruction of protests https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/opposition-condemns-police-obstruction-of-protests-97757 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent and banning the use of four-wheeled vehicles.Hameed Shafaa 14 May 2015 Police place further restrictions on opposition protests https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/police-place-further-restrictions-on-opposition-protests-98139 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The United Kingdom expressed concern over the arrests of opposition leaders and called for dialogue between the Maldivian government and the opposition parties.Rasheed Zaheena 6 May 2015 Maldives judiciary hammered in UN human rights review https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/maldives-judiciary-hammered-in-un-human-rights-review-97792 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Aftermath Charges and dismissals State-owned enterprises dismissed twelve employees who participated in the protest.10 May 2015 12 dismissed for participating in anti-government rally https://maldivesindependent.com/news-in-brief/12-dismissed-for-participating-in-anti-government-rally-97937 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The Local Government Authority had also suspeneded seven employees over the protest.13 May 2015 LGA suspends seven councilors over May Day protest https://maldivesindependent.com/news-in-brief/lga-suspends-seven-councilors-over-may-day-protest-98156 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The police released 50 out of the 175 people held in custody, with them arrested on suspicion of obstructing police duty and disobedience to order. 19 people were also released after police failed to present them at court. MDP claims that 90% of the detainees do not have criminal records. Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin stated that he would charge 30 of the 193 people arrested and that around 98 cases were forwarded to the committee on reviewing first time offenders.Mohamed Hassan 17 May 2015 Prosecutor general to charge 30 May Day protesters https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/prosecutor-general-to-charge-30-may-day-protesters-98234 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Police were also accused of providing false testimony against the protesters.Rasheed Zaheena 21 May 2015 Police accused of false testimony against May Day detainees https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/police-accused-of-false-testimony-against-may-day-detainees-98465 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent MDP has also accused them of torturing and threatening to kill suspects arrested for assaulting a police officer. MDP MP Ahmed Easa was also allegedly kicked and beaten to the head.Naish Ahmed 7 May 2015 "You will never walk out of here alive": MDP reveals details of alleged torture of May Day detainees https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/you-will-never-walk-out-of-here-alive-mdp-reveals-details-of-alleged-torture-of-may-day-detainees-97808#sthash.ICJKbQ6A.dpbs 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent The Human Rights Commmission of Maldives investigated claims of police brutality but did not publish findings and Prosecutor General's Office could not find sufficient evidence to pursue cases. A protester was found guilty of assaulting a policeman and was sentenced to seven years.15 March 2016 May Day protester sentenced to seven years for assaulting policeman https://maldivesindependent.com/crime-2/may-day-protester-sentenced-to-seven-years-for-assaulting-policeman-122813 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Two people were also charged with assaulting a police officer and sentences to seven years.8 August 2016 Two more May Day detainees sentenced https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/two-more-may-day-detainees-sentenced-125969 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent Six others were also found guilty assaulting a police officer and was sentenced to five years.25 July 2016 Six May Day protesters sentenced to five years in jail https://maldivesindependent.com/crime-2/six-may-day-protesters-sentenced-to-five-years-in-jail-125647 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent AP President Abdulla, JP’s deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim, and JP council member Sobah Rasheed were charged with terrorism,Hameed Shafaa 4 June 2015 Opposition politician, charged with terrorism, seeks asylum https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/opposition-politician-charged-with-terrorism-seeks-asylum-99170 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent with the latter two leaving the country.Hameed Shafaa 11 June 2015 Opposition 'prepared for prolonged sit-in' https://minivannewsarchive.com/politics/opposition-prepared-for-prolonged-sit-in-99494 23 October 2026 Minivan News The JP’s deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim and council member Sobah Rasheed left the Maldives shortly before the Prosecutor General’s office pressed terrorism charges on a claim of inciting violence at the May Day protest. Abdulla was sentenced to twelve years17 February 2016 Maldives court jails opposition figure Sheikh Imran Abdulla for 12 years https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/17/maldives-court-jails-opposition-figure-sheikh-imran-abdulla-for-12-years 6 January 2026 The Guardian Agence France-Presse before being acquited in 2018.22 November 2018 Supreme Court overturns Home Minister Imran's terrorism conviction https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/supreme-court-overturns-home-minister-imrans-terrorism-conviction-142917 6 January 2026 Maldives Independent Three detainees sued the state over trial delays,17 May 2016 Three May Day detainees sue state over trial delay https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/three-may-day-detainees-sue-state-over-trial-delay-124280 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent which got rejected by the Civil Court for being out of its jurisdiction.23 May 2016 Court rejects lawsuit over delayed verdicts for May Day protesters https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/court-rejects-lawsuit-over-delayed-verdicts-for-may-day-protesters-124352 23 October 2026 Maldives Independent References Category:2015 protests Category:May Day protests Category:2015 in the Maldives Category:21st-century protests Category:Protests in the Maldives