Last night, police forcefully took away the phone of 20-year-old Aminath Shiman Ahmed, an active of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). She was walking home when officers stopped her and seized her phone without showing a warrant. Hours later, they claimed there was a court order accusing her of posting something on social media that “threatened” President Mohamed Muizzu.
The court had reportedly issued two separate orders one to search and seize Shiman’s phone, and another forcing her to give passwords and access to her apps. Both were based on a police intelligence report, which no one has seen. The case is now being handled by the Serious and Organized Crime Department an absurd move for what appears to be nothing more than a social media post.
The whole incident has triggered a wave of anger online. Many see it as another sign of how far Muizzu’s government is willing to go to scare opposition supporters into silence.
After the October 3 rally against government incompetence, the police have clearly started targeting MDP supporters. Several state employees who joined the protest have already been fired from their jobs, sending a message to others: stay quiet, or face consequences.
In a statement, the MDP condemned the government’s actions, saying:
“These desperate actions are proof of this administration’s failure, and their growing fear of the public. Threats and intimidation have never worked before — and they won’t work now. The people will not be silenced.”
Some employees at government institutions have been terminated following their participation in the October 3rd, protest, while 2 others have had their phones confiscated by police for posts made on social media. 6 protestors still remain in custody.
Every single case…
— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 9, 2025
The MDP Youth Wing also called the move harassment and intimidation, and demanded an immediate end to such unlawful actions.
Today, the phone of one of our own a dedicated MDP Youth Wing member was forcefully taken by police without any court order or explanation. We condemn this act of intimidation in the strongest terms. The police must stop such actions immediately. @PoliceMv pic.twitter.com/xRSjZKngIf
— MDP Youth Wing (@MDPYouth) October 8, 2025
What’s more worrying is that this isn’t an isolated case. Just days ago, the police seized the phone of another MDP activist, Fathimath Zahiyya (Zaya) — a member of the MDP National Council — over a Facebook post critical of the police.
It’s becoming painfully clear that under Muizzu’s rule, dissent is being criminalized. Young people who dare to speak up are being treated like criminals. Instead of fixing the country’s problems, the government seems obsessed with punishing anyone who points them out.
Shiman’s story is just one example but it reflects a bigger truth: this administration is terrified of its own people.
