Police have arrested Ahmed Fairish following widespread complaints of ongoing harassment and abuse against residents in Malé, prompting Bank of Maldives (BML) Head of Marketing and Strategy Mohamed Saeed to end his 35-hour hunger strike. Saeed concluded his protest outside Henveiru Police Station after receiving firm commitments from senior government and law enforcement officials that full action would be taken.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Saeed expressed gratitude to Home Minister Ali Ihusaan, who visited the protest site in person to offer assurances regarding the case. Saeed confirmed that Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef had also assured him and his family that the PG Office would closely oversee the matter, while also acknowledging the support of media outlets, online campaigns, and PNC Feydhoo North MP Ismail Nizar.
The suspect, identified as a drug user operating in the Kashimaa Hingun and Dhoohimeri Magu neighbourhoods, had terrorised local residents through a series of erratic and dangerous acts. Reported incidents included hurling verbal abuse at passersby, knocking over parked motorcycles, blocking streets, and repeatedly throwing garbage at homes. Residents also documented cases of water and oil being poured from balconies onto pedestrians—including Saeed—as well as physical assaults with plastic bottles, late-night screaming, and unauthorised intrusions into residential buildings.
Addressing the mishandling of past reports, Saeed revealed that several previously filed complaints with the police had been quietly shelved without resolution. "Looking back until yesterday, some of the cases lodged with the police had been closed," Saeed noted, explaining that Minister Ihusaan instructed officers to reopen those files and raise the pertinent legal issues, while inviting the family to formally refile incidents that had previously been turned away.
The arrest of Fairish came shortly after public reports of Saeed’s hunger strike sparked widespread attention across the capital. While concluding his demonstration following the suspect's detention, Saeed stated that he and affected community members will continue to closely monitor the ongoing proceedings to ensure lasting accountability and neighbourhood safety.