MDP activist claims tweet not directed to anyone

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activist Hussain Shafiu (Thuththu) has claimed his post on X was not directed at any particular individual.

Shafiu was summoned to the Maldives Police Service to provide a statement regarding a threatening post he made on the micro-blogging app.

The activist had expressed frustration over the price surge in a pack of cigarettes to MVR 250 owing to the recent duty hike by the curreng government.

In the said post, Shafiu had said "Don't be seen anywhere on the road" at someone. 

Due to the nature of his statement on X, Shafiu visited Sergeant Adam Haleem Criminal Investigation Building at 13:30 on Sunday as per the chit for a summoning.

Members of the opposition party's leadership, general members and supporters gathered to the streets to protest against this, and claimed the current government was impending on freedom of expression.

In his statement to the police, Shafiu claimed his post on X was not directed at anyone in particular. He added that he refrained from using profanity or any form of threats in his post and said his post would not be perceived as a threat.

He further said that it was the police that had given a 'tone' to his statement, and said he did not wish to speak more about the post.

Aik Ahmed Easa, one of the members of MDP's legal team said Shafiu's summoning to the police was an indication of political influence on law enforcement. He further added that freedom of expression was a fundamental right guaranteed in the Constitution.

"We inspected the tweet in question. The summoning chit had clearly specified the tweet, and it does not include any statement which might instill fear in anyone. It was simply an expression of public frustration," Aik said.

"We are seeing an infringement on speaking and writing. Today, our first activist has been summoned. Perhaps they think this would frighten and deter us. MDP has never been one to get undermined by such antics," he added.

Following police sending the chit to Shafiu on Saturday, MDP's Chairperson, Fayyaz Ismail claimed the government has begun taking actions against councilors to protect the image of the president and senior government officials.

Earlier, the Local Government Authority (LGA) ordered taking action against GDh. Gadhdhoo council's president Mohamed Ahmed for making denigrating statements towards President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

This incident had attracted criticism from MDP as well.