Children's Ombudsperson's Office refutes Police claims of seeking investigation

The Children's Ombudsperson's Office today refuted Police claims that they had filed a case seeking investigation into comments made during a demonstration held by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Police are conducting an investigation against MDP National Council member Ahmed Saleem (Maaz) and activist Mariyam Zubair (Mandhi) for comments they made concerning President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's son.

Yesterday, the First Family's lawyer said that the Police investigation is not being conducted on the family's request. Police later released a statement where they claimed the investigation is being carried out in response to a case filed by the Children's Ombudsperson's Office.

However, the Children's Ombudsperson's Office has now refuted this claim.

The office said that they had not made any requests for action or a criminal investigation in the letter they sent to Police regarding this incident.

Instead, the letter called on police to ensure that children's rights are protected and personal details of children are not revealed in speeches delivered at gatherings under the Right to Assemby Act which Police attend.

The statement said that they had not requested for any investigation into the incident, and said that Police's claim otherwise was not factual.