Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that making criticism of government a punishable crime takes away freedom of expression, and is a step backwards.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that making criticism of government a punishable crime takes away freedom of expression, and is a step backwards.
In a post on social media platform X, Solih said that sending Police, as well as warning letters to councils, in response to social media posts is a worrying backwards step against the freedom of expression and democracy that Maldivians had gained through many struggles.
He stated that it is extremely concerning for the government to be acting in a way to bring back the criminalizing of criticism of government and threatening punitive measures against such actions.
The former President's comments come in the wake of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) social media activist Hussain Shafiu being summoned to police on accusation of having implied threats against a person.
Summons sent to Shafiu stated that he is being asked to present himself at the Police office today for questioning regarding using vulgar language and using threatening language in a post on social media on November 8.
The post in question is one in which Shafiu was speaking against the price increase of cigarettes. In the post, he used disrespectful language to speak of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, and said he had had to purchase a pack of cigarettes for MVR 270. He ended the post with 'don't let me see you on a street'.
Following the summons being sent to Shafiu, MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail stated that criticizing the government has now become a crime.
Meanwhile, the President of the Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Council Mohamed Ahmed is also being investigated by the Local Government Authority for defamation against the President.
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