Police have seized the phone of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Assembly Member Fathimath Zahiyya (Zaya) following a threat she made against officers on social media.

According to a Criminal Court order, the phone was seized to obtain evidence regarding Zaya's threat against the police, which was posted on Facebook at 11:08 PM on Saturday.

That night, the MDP President for the Hulhumale' Uthuru district tagged the police in a post, stating that "Kandoodhoo pepper" (a local hot pepper) spray had been prepared for use on the 17th of next month.

"Just hit, hit," her post concluded.

She was referencing the MDP's upcoming protest announcement. The opposition party decided to hold another protest after the police intercepted their last demonstration in Malé City this past Friday.

Police had used sonic weapons and pepper spray to disperse the previous protest.