The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has on Tuesday night searched the opposition Jumhooree Party’s headquarters, having obtained a court order to do so.

Officers had entered the premises at around 08:30 pm and concluded their operation there five hours later and left Kunooz – in Maafanu ward of capital city Malé – at 1:30 am.

The court order, which was based off of a ‘secret’ intelligence report compiled by the MPS, states that premises be searched on suspicion that the Jumhooree Party along with its opposition partners Adhaalath Party and the Maldivian Democratic Party are conspiring to obstruct the conduct of state officials and overthrow the government.

Officers entered the premises with intent to discover evidence that may support said allegations – which include banners, placards, and documents slandering the government – along with CCTV footage of the premises.

Police had cordoned off the entire road on which Kunooz is located. Both journalists and other civilians were pushed back to behind barricades placed far enough to obstruct their line of sight to the premises.