Civil Court clears MDP, Fayyaz over protest remarks

Civil Court has ruled that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and its chairperson, Fayyaz Ismail, cannot be held responsible for remarks made by MDP activist Mariyam Zubair (Mandhy) during a protest earlier this year.

The defamation case was filed by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed after Mandhy linked President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision for the vape ban with his son during an MDP-led protest in March.

The court found that Mandhy's comments had harmed the reputation of the President’s son, and concluded that Sajidha had the right to seek damages.

However, the court said that MDP and Fayyaz could not be held liable, stating there was no evidence they were directly involved or responsible under vicarious liability.

The court also noted that neither Fayyaz nor the MDP had presented a defence, but said that a trial in absentia could not be conducted against them even if the Sajidha had requested it.

First Lady Sajidha had sought a defamation order seeking Mandhy, Fayyaz, and the MDP to issue an apology. However, the court declined, ruling that compelling an apology would undermine its sincerity.

The court also noted that while apologies are sometimes mandated under defamation laws in other jurisdictions, no such legal provision exists in Maldives.

Police had also investigated Mandhy’s remarks earlier, the court said.