Abbas Adil Riza released from custody

Abbas Adil Riza, who was arrested for making hate speech on social media, calling out to set fire to the Indian High Commission, has been released from custody on Friday, January 13.

He was arrested on December 25 for a tweet from his Twitter handle inciting violence and terror. His remand was extended twice by the Criminal Court.

Abbas Adil Riza, from his Twitter account, posted photos of the arson that occurred in various parts in Addu City during the abrupt change of former President Mohamed Nasheed's government in 2012. He claimed that the arson attacks were on the orders of India.

He said that the damage has not yet been compensated, and tweeted "I think we should start with the Embassy".

Abbas had initially said he was not active on social media and that the Twitter handle 'Abbas Adil Riza" was not his real account. However, when news medias had earlier quoted him from the same Twitter handle in the past, Abbas had not denied it's ownership.

The state, in addition to multiple political parties had strongly condemned the tweet inciting setting fire to the Indian High Commission.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the government is taking the matter very seriously and that necessary precautions have been taken. Such threats to the safety of diplomats and civilians would not be ignored, the statement read.

Abbas Adil Riza has previously held senior positions as Customs Commissioner and at the Maldives Embassy in Malaysia during the administration of former President Mohamed Waheed, and as a senior official at the Maldives Embassy in Malaysia during former President Abdulla Yameen's government.