Youth Ministry officially dissolves MDN

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Engagement on Thursday, dissolved human rights NGO Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) over its report 'Preliminary Assessment of Radicalisation in the Maldives'.

In November, the Ministry allocated 45 days to settle any debts and properties of the organization before dissolution.

MDN was suspended by the ministry after widespread controversy regarding its report. Both Maldives Police Service and Ministry of Islamic Affairs have since confirmed that it contained written accounts contradicting the fundamental tenets of Islam and slandered Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).

"Islam is one of the fundamental sources of our country’s democratic framework as well as a source of unity and peace within our community", said the government.

The government further iterated that maintenance of public order while ensuring the rights of citizens are the highest obligation of any government.

Previously, more than 100 island councils released statements demanding MDN's termination. Videos on social media depicted certain protests calling for the murder of MDN Founder Shahindha Ismail

A 19-year-old youth from Fuvahmulah City was arrested in relation to retweeting a twitter post, stating that he would not hesitate to kill.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Mohamed Hameed disclosed that approximately 1,400 extremists were in the country that follows ideologies of the international terrorist organisation Islamic State (IS) and would not hesitate to kill to defend their beliefs.

Speaking at the 'Viavathi Raajje' Councillor Conference, CP Hameed revealed statistics gathered by the authorities on the situation of religious extremism in the country:

- 432 individuals from across Maldives took interest in taking part in the Syrian conflict and attempted to travel to the warzone

- 173 of these individuals are recorded to have crossed the border into Syria

- 59 insurgents are currently in Syria, out of which most are children

- Out of the insurgents in Syria, four males are in the condition to be brought back to Maldives