Authorities strongly condemn Tweet urging arson attack on Indian Embassy

A person has taken to Twitter, calling for revenge by setting fire to the Indian Embassy, claiming the riots and arson that occurred in Addu City during the abrupt change of government in 2012, were on the orders of India.

An "Abbas Adil Riza" tweeted on 23 December saying that the arson attack in Addu City on 8 February, 2012 was ordered by India. He said that the damage has not yet been compensated, and tweeted photos of the incident.

"I think we should start with the Embassy". He tweeted with the hashtag India Out.

All the district court offices, police stations and police training centres were set ablaze except the magistrate's court and police station in Meedhoo. These buildings have all been rebuilt now.

ފެބުރުއަރީ 8 ގައި އިންޑިޔާގެ އޯޑަރަށް އައްޑޫގައި ހުޅުޖެހީ. އެކަމުގެ ބަދަލު އަދި އޮތީ ނުހިފި. އެމްބަސީން ފަށަން އަޅުގަނޑަށް ފެންނަނީ. #IndiaOut pic.twitter.com/0RFjLTxNJT

— Abbas Adil Riza (@AbbasRiza) December 23, 2022

Abbas Adil Riza has previously held senior positions as Customs Commissioner and at the Maldives Embassy in Malaysia. He told Mihaaru that the Twitter handle inciting violence was not his real account, and that he does not use social media. He said he even reported the account to the police last year.

The account also shared links to anti-India Clubhouse meetings, and the same account was used to threaten the judge who issued the order to remove the "India Out" banners at Yameen’s residence. While the police began investigating the case, Abbas had made no comments earlier regarding the alleged fake account using his identity to tweet damaging discourse.

However, it is speculated that Abbas handles said twitter account.

Political Parties condemn calls for arson

Political parties in the Maldives denounced the encouragement to set fire to the Indian Embassy, in relation to the riots and arson during the alleged coup that resulted in former President Mohamed Nasheed resigning.

They all condemned the tweet and called for strict actions to be taken.

Various political parties including Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP), Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) and Maldives Third Way Democrats (MTD) have condemned the incitement of arson on the Indian Embassy and called for an investigation into the incident.

MRM strongly condemns this cowardly incitement of arson and terrorism, targeted at @HCIMaldives. We call on authorities to investigate and take strong action against this, and such other acts of hate speech instigating violence.@AmbMunu @PoliceMv @MNDF_Official https://t.co/R9VhxJY2zg

— Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) 🇲🇻 (@MRM_Office) December 23, 2022

MDP has also condemned the repeated attempts by the opposition to incite hatred against neighboring countries.

The MDP condemns in the strongest terms the call for an arson attack on the Indian High Commission, and calls on the authorities to investigate the matter. The MDP also condemns the opposition’s continuous effort to incite violence & hatred towards friendly nations.

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) December 23, 2022

MTD, tweeted "India is our closest neighbor and they are always there for Maldives during every time of need," condemning the incitement of terror on the Indian Embassy by former government official and PPM member, Abbas.

MTD condemns the call for arson attack & inciting terror against the Indian High Commission in Maldives @HCIMaldives by PPM member and former government official @AbbasRiza !

India 🇮🇳 is our closest neighbor & they are always there for Maldives 🇲🇻 in every time we needed. https://t.co/oV9dhkURdH

— Maldives Third-Way Democrats (@MTDSecretariat) December 23, 2022

Probe into the case

Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has said that encouraging people to set fire to the Indian Embassy in retaliation for the fall of former President Mohamed Nasheed's government is an act of terrorism which is unacceptable.

Mariya said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration maintains a zero tolerance policy for terrorism. She also said that India is a close partner in Maldives development and it is unacceptable to try to hinder the development of the country.

Calls for arson on @HCIMaldives is an act of terror and is strongly condemned. Kindly be assured that HEP @ibusolih’s Zero Tolerance on Terror will be enforced. India is our closest development partner & attempts to stop development for the people of 🇲🇻will not be tolerated.🇲🇻🇮🇳

— Mariya Didi 🎈 (@MariyaDidi) December 24, 2022

The Police said that the matter has come to their attention and investigations are currently ongoing.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed also tweeted about the spread of hate growing on social media and said that the incident will be investigated thoroughly.

Any incitement of violence or encouragement of acts of terrorism will be taken seriously and investigated with due process by @PoliceMv. The spread of hate on social media is seemingly growing in Maldives. We are working with all stakeholders to effectively tackle the problem.

— Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) December 24, 2022