Child Ombudsperson's Office (COO) was made aware that a criminal investigation was being carried out regarding the statements made about President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's son at an opposition, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protest, said Maldives Police service.

This statement by the agency came after COO issued a statement on Monday night saying the office had not requested police to investigate the case.

According to Mihaaru News, police informed COO about the investigation on March 17, in response to a letter sent by the office on March 13.

Police, in a letter today, also reiterated that the COO was informed of the investigation in the March 17th letter, a police official said.

Police are conducting a criminal investigation against MDP National Assembly Member Ahmed Saleem (Maaz Saleem) and party activist Mariyam Zubair (Mandhi) over allegations linking the President's son to vape.

In today's letter police said they requested clarification from the COO, asking the purpose of the March 13 letter, referring to the office's denial that a criminal investigation as requested.

The COO sent a letter to the police on March 13, referring to the MDP protest saying, "when police are stationed at such events, we request you to take necessary measures to ensure that children's personal information is not disclosed."

The office also shared a live link to Mandhi's speech with the police along with the letter.

The police official said the phrasing on the March 13 letter was the same as previous letters, and questioned why the March 13 letter's implication was different.

"So, we want to know the purpose of the letter sent by the office on March 13," the police official said.

The investigation is not being conducted at the request of the President's family, the family's lawyer Azima Shakoor said in a press release yesterday. On the other hand, police said the investigation was initiated at the request of the COO.