Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has refused to issue a comment on the proceedings at the Parliament on Monday, where the Parliament was under lockdown and MPs were forcibly removed from the Parliament premises.

Police Spokesperson Ahmed Shifan said that Police officers entered the premises on request of Army officials. He added that they had removed individuals from the Parliament premises; individuals who had no right to be there.

‘Army is tasked with maintaining security at the Parliament. They can legally ask the Police for assistance. Police can provide assistance. They acted in Parliament, as requested by Army,’ Shifan said.

Chief of Defence Force Ahmed Shiyam and MNDF Media Official were unreachable for a comment.

Even though, Shifan said the Police had removed individuals who had no legal standing to enter the Parliament, they first removed sitting MPs.

The case on stripping MPs from their Parliament has been lodged with the Supreme Court. Clause 74 of the Constitution states that Supreme Court is the only authority that can strip a sitting MP from their Parliament seat.