Maldivian Opposition MPs Don Masks of Defence Chief in Parliamentary Protest

Opposition MPs wore masks in the People’s Majlis, the Maldivian parliament, on Monday, July 31, in protest against the military lockdown of the parliament that began on July 24.The protesters donned masks of Major General Ahmed Shiyam, the head of the Maldives National Defence Force.According to the Maldives Independent, clashes between MPs and security forces inside the parliament followed, with the speaker’s chair later surrounded by security.The protests followed an attempt on July 24 by the opposition to hold a no-confidence vote against the speaker, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, a key ally of President Abdulla Yameen. The motion was thrown out, leading to protests at the parliament and the subsequent lockdown. Credit: Ahmed Mahloof via Storyful