Zihan Hassan, who has previously served as a First Lieutenant in MNDF and as a Deputy Minister in this administration, has been arrested today on accusations of inciting violence after he called to set fire to the offices of the three powers of the State in a social media post. 

Zihan was reportedly arrested under a court order while in Fuvahmulah. 

In his post, Zihan asked why the Maldives is not setting fire to the Supreme Court, President's Office and Parliament, claiming that "it will be fun".

Zihan later deleted the post about an hour after sharing it, although screenshots have since been circulated on social media. 

Zihan studied at the Naval Academy in the United States and served as a Naval Architect at MNDF. He was dismissed from MNDF during the final days of the previous administration. At the time, his close associates alleged that his dismissal had been politically motivated, claiming that his criticism of the government had been the reason. 

After this administration came to office, Zihan was appointed as a Deputy Minister at the Transport Ministry. He was later dismissed, following which he has a been a vocal critic of the government.