Maldivian politicians scuffled and brawled during a key vote at a parliament session, footage released yesterday evening shows.
Video obtained by Reuters captured a chaotic scene where members of the Maldives parliament traded kicks and fought with opposition party members near the speaker's chair, while others shouted from the floor and the sounds of toy trumpets rang out.
Reuters was able to confirm the location by the colour, design on the walls and the placement of a lighting fixtures and speaker which matched with file imagery.
Local media reported MP Abdullah Shaheem Abdul Hakeem was injured during a violent altercation between pro-government MPs and opposition party members.
Reuters could not independently verify when the videos were filmed.
The session descended into chaos when the main Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) decided to withhold parliamentary approval for some members of President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet ahead of the key vote on the Cabinet, according to local media reports.
Subsequently, pro-government MPs initiated a protest, obstructing the parliamentary sitting from proceeding, the reports said.
