PG files charges against disruptors of Yoga Day event

The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed charges against the people who disrupted the International Yoga Day event held on June 21, 2022.

Yoga, often considered a form of Shirk by Islamic scholars, and as a sin by the likes of idolatry or polytheism, was protested by a group of youth where they interrupted and broke up the lines of Yogis at the national stadium.

Maldivian scholars, Sheikh Fazloon Mohamed and Sheikh Adam Nishan were charged with ëncouraging to commit an act of terrorism under the Anti-terrorism Act, which may result in a sentence of 10 to 15 years, for their participation on the protest.

Seven individuals were charged with committing an act of terrorism under the Anti-terrrorism Act, which may result in 20 to 25 years imprisonment. The individual are:

Mohamed Zilian - K. Male’ Ma. Kanuhuraa
Abdulla Rifau - Th. Thimarafushi, Narugisvilla
Aboobakuru Faariu - N. Miladhoo, Carnationmaage
Ahmed Aksam - R. Kandholhudhoo, Alamaage
Ahmed Nasooh - Ga. Maamendhoo, Asrafeevilla
Hassan Shifaz - K. Male’ M. Kudhehige
Shabim Adam - F. Dhanburudhoo, Aabaadheegulshan

Seven other individuals were charged with aiding to commit an act of terrorism under the Anti- terrorism act.

Mohamed Ismail - Ha. Hoarafushi, Yaagoothuge
Abdulla Niyaz - K. Male’ G. Phoenix
Ali Mohamed - Th. Thimarafushi, Ali Aabaadhu
Ibrahim Zihan - N. Velidhoo, Milaano
Mohamed Shaan - L. Mundoo, Annaarumaage
Hussain Ali - Hdh. Kulhudhuffushi, Babooge
Ahmed Ali - K. Male, M. Falhumatheege

If found guilty, these people may face 17-20 years of imprisonment.

Additionally, Abdulla Rifau (Th. Thimarafushi, Narugisvilla) was also charged with possession of a document that insinuates support for a terrorist organization with a ossible penalty of 1 to 3 years of imprisonment and Shabim Adam (F. Dhanburudhoo, Aabaadheegulshan) was charged with committing assault and battery with a dangerous weapon with a possible penalty of 7 to 10 years of imprisonment.

The PG had filed charges of attempted battery with a dangerous weapon against 3 people, who may face 3-5 years of imprisonment if proven guilty. They are:

Abdulla Rifau - Th. Thimarafushi, Narugisvilla
Ahmed Aksam - R. Kandholhudhoo, Alamaage
Hassan Shifaz - K. Male’ M. Kudhehige

Furthermore, the PG charged 15 people with obstructing a law enforcement officer, constituting a 4 months and 24 day jail sentence. The people were:

Mohamed Faisal - K. Male, G. Ufuriya
Mohamed Faisal - K. Male, M. Orchid House,
Mohamed Zilian - K. Male’ Ma. Kanuhuraa
Abdulla Rifau - Th. Thimarafushi, Narugisvilla
Aboobakuru Faariu - N. Miladhoo, Carnationmaage
Ahmed Aksam - R. Kandholhudhoo, Alamaage
Ahmed Nasooh - Ga. Maamendhoo, Asrafeevilla
Hassan Shifaz - K. Male’ M. Kudhehige
Shabim Adam - F. Dhanburudhoo, Aabaadheegulshan
Abdulla Niyaz - K. Male’ G. Phoenix
Ali Mohamed - Th. Thimarafushi, Ali Aabaadhu
Ibrahim Zihan - N. Velidhoo, Milaano
Mohamed Shaan - L. Mundoo, Annaarumaage
Hussain Ali - Hdh. Kulhudhuffushi, Babooge
Ahmed Ali - K. Male, M. Falhumatheege

FInally, Mohamed Ismail and Mohamed Zilian were charged with obstruction of justice, with a possible penalty of 1 year 7 months and 6 days in imprisonment.

Most Maldivian scholars agree that Yoga is Haram or prohibited in Islam and the ruling coaltion party, Adhaalath Party has also stated that Yoga is an act of Shirk.

Indian government had urged the Maldivian justice system to hold the disruptors of the yoga event organized by the government and the Indian High Commission with highest contempt of law and punish them severely for their transgressions.