Parliament Rejects Inquiry Into Police Use of LRAD at Protest

The Maldives parliament voted down an emergency motion to investigate the police's use of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) during an opposition protest on October 3.

The motion, submitted by opposition MP Meekail Naseem, alleged the LRADs were used without warning, causing ear pain, dizziness, and distress to protesters and residents. It argued the deployment violated protest rights and lacked legal oversight.

The motion was defeated by the ruling party majority in a 40-12 vote. PNC lawmakers defended the action, calling the protest an "unlawful gathering" and stating police acted within their legal bounds.

The rejection has drawn criticism from the opposition and civil society, who see it as a refusal to hold the state accountable. This event occurs amid rising tensions over civil liberties in the Maldives, following the recent passage of a controversial media regulation bill.