The incumbent Parliament Speaker of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed in a recent comment noted the manhandling of a tourist at the guesthouse-heavy island of Maafushi by local police was indecent and unlawful.
The former President further commented perceiving such manhandling as passable or appropriate poses several questions on a person's morality and character. He added such mentalities are of grave concern.
Nasheed was commenting on the recent altercation at the island of Maafushi, Kaafu atoll, where a seemingly drunk bikini clad tourist was walking in land and resisted cooperating with authorities.
In the now viral video, she is heard yelling it would be problematic if anyone breached her personal space.
In Maldives, it is illegal for travelers to visit or stroll locally inhabited islands without covering themselves up appropriately; especially for female tourists.
The traveler refused to heed the warnings of authorities, and went on to resist any form apprehension.
Following this, the local law enforcement officers - all male - present at the site resorted to physically overpower her, and resulted in an altercation leading to manhandling of the tourist.
The reaction by Maldives Police Service has resulted in a divisive debate from the island nation's public with some commending the actions of the authority, while other lambasted their brute approach to subdue the tourist.
Many have commented that though she was breaching the laws of conduct, the traveler should not have been subjected to such harsh treatment or manhandling. Many legal advocates and activists criticized on the absence of female officers, who, by the law, are the only party allowed to make arrests of females suspects.
Nasheed, in a tweet on the popular micro-blogging site said the inappropriate show of power and male officers making an arrest of a female individual was unlawful and should be perceived as such.
The Parliament Speaker's criticizm was directed towards the recent commendation from Maldives Minister of Home Affairs Sheikh Imran Abdullah who spoke in favor of local police for their actions in the incident.
However, the Home Minister in a TV interview noted that the situation could have been handled better, while bemoaning it was not the case.
Meanwhile, Maldives Police Service on Saturday issued out a public apology noting their actions were inappropriate.
The local law enforcement had also commented on the absence of female officers on the site of incidence, claiming the island of Maafushi did not have any staioned female officers.
Interestingly, the incident captured on video, has caught international attention while it was reported on UK's Dailymail.
