Court Extends Detention of Ex-MNDF Officer Over Call to Attack Key Government Buildings

The Fuvahmulah Magistrate Court has ordered a further 14-day detention for Hassan Zihan, a former First Lieutenant and Naval Architect of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and former Deputy Minister of Transport, in connection with social media posts calling for attacks on the Maldives Supreme Court, the President's Office, and the People's Majlis. Zihan was originally arrested on October 20 after he posted in English on his Facebook account questioning why Maldivians are not given the opportunity to attack the three buildings. The post, which has since been deleted, read: "It will be fun if we burn it down." The police confirmed the matter came to their attention and they are investigating. When brought before the court as the initial 15-day detention period expired, the court extended his detention by an additional 14 days. The police have confirmed this decision to the media. Zihan, who was dismissed from the MNDF towards the end of the previous government, was later appointed Deputy Minister of Transport in the current government but was subsequently removed from that position. Following his removal, he has been critical of the government.