Court Extends Former Deputy Minister Zihan’s Detention by 14 Days Over Call to Torch Government Buildings

The Criminal Court has ordered an additional 14 days of detention for Hassan Zihan, a former Deputy Minister, who was arrested for posting a social media message urging arson attacks on the buildings of the Supreme Court, the Office of the President, and the People’s Majlis. Police confirmed that the initial 15-day detention period expired today, and due to the ongoing investigation, they requested the extension, which the court granted. Zihan was arrested last month after he posted on Facebook that it would be “fun” if fires were started at those locations; he deleted the post about an hour later. The police said the investigation continues and the extension is necessary to gather evidence. Zihan, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former naval architect in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), was dismissed from the military near the end of the previous government and later appointed and then removed as Deputy Minister of Transport. Police emphasised that acts encouraging damage to important state buildings are treated very seriously.