Court orders taking full-body images (excluding sexual organs) of MDP activists

Criminal Court has issued an order instructing Police to take full-body images (excluding sexual organs), of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council member Ahmed Saleem (Maaz Saleem) and activist Mariyam Zubair (Mandhi).

Police have once again summoned Saleem and Zubair while they continue their investigation into the two having made statements regarding the President's son during a party demonstration.

The two were summoned earlier as well. Police cited in the chit sent a court order instructing them to take full body photos of the two, excluding sexual organs and voice samples as a reason for the second summons.

Police said that they had requested for this order so as to compare the images with video footage of Saleem and Zubair making said statements and to ascertain the footage is showing the two.

Regulations governing Police actions in criminal investigations stipulate certain procedures for Police to follow when taking photographs of sexual organs.

A Police Official said that they had requested for 'full-body images excluding sexual organs' as there are set procedures which Police need to follow when taking photographs of sexual organs. They said that the request had been made as taking of photos is not mentioned in the regulations under taking external samples.

They said that the regulations do state 'visible external markings on the body', which they maintain is included in order to be specific.

There has been heavy criticism against Police after the reason for summons became public, but Police have not responded or made any statements regarding this as of yet.

As per the chit, the two were scheduled to present themselves at the Police station yesterday. However, Police later cancelled yesterday's summons, informing them that the next scheduled date will be informed later.

While a criminal investigation is being conducted against Saleem and Zubair in relation to the comments made during the demonstration, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has filed a defamation case against Zubair at the Civil Court, and also filed a separate case against her at the Family Court.

Lawyer of the First Family, former Attorney General Azima Shukoor's law firm has previously stated that Zubair's comments referring to the President's son Umari Mohamed Muizzu presents the risk of affecting Umair physically, and may pose a threat to life. They said the comments pose the risk of seriously affecting Umair's future and studies.

The statement further said that the comments are in violation of the Child Protection Act and the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Saleem and Zubair's statements at the demonstration allude that vapes were prohibited in the Maldives as a response to the President's son having used vapes. The President's family has rejected these claims, asserting that the son has never in his life used a vape.