High Court declares Mahloof's arrest during SOE unlawful

High Court of Maldives has declared Parliamentarian Ahmed Mahloof was arrested unlawfully during the State of Emergency declared following a Supreme Court Order on February 1.

Parliamentarian Mahloof was arrested on February 22, and was charged with obstruction of justice for distributing masks to protect protesters from the effects of tear gas.

However, the parliamentarian appealed the Criminal Court ruling. He was kept in custody for 8 months and 12 days before being released to house arrest. High Court, in its order, ruled the parliamentarian was arrested in contravention of the Parliamentary Privileges Act.

Speaking to media following the ruling, Mahloof described the ruling as another win against torment.