Former Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Transport Zihan Hassan has been arrested in connection with a social media post allegedly encouraging attacks on buildings housing the three branches of state power in the Maldives.
Police confirmed that Zihan was arrested in Fuvahmulah City under a court order following concerns raised over statements he had published on social media.
The arrest follows a post in which Zihan reportedly questioned why buildings accommodating the country’s principal state institutions had not been set on fire.
In the now-deleted post, he allegedly suggested that setting fire to the buildings would be entertaining, prompting concerns over the nature of the remarks.
According to reports, Zihan removed the post approximately one hour after publishing it.
Police subsequently took him into custody in Fuvahmulah in connection with the matter.
The three branches of state power in the Maldives comprise the executive, legislature and judiciary, which operate independently under the country’s constitutional framework.
These institutions are responsible for administering government affairs, enacting legislation and interpreting and applying the law.
The reported remarks concerning buildings associated with these institutions have brought Zihan under police investigation, although authorities have not disclosed the specific criminal offences being investigated.
Police have also not announced whether any formal charges have been filed against him or provided further details regarding the court order authorising his arrest.
Zihan previously served in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), where he worked as a naval architect after graduating from the United States Naval Academy.
His military career ended towards the conclusion of the previous administration, when he was dismissed from the MNDF.
At the time, individuals close to Zihan alleged that his dismissal was connected to his criticism of the government.
However, the circumstances surrounding his removal from military service were disputed, and the allegation that his dismissal was politically motivated has not been independently established.
Following the change in administration, Zihan was appointed as a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Transport under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s government.
His appointment marked a return to public service after his departure from the military.
He was subsequently removed from the deputy ministerial position, although the circumstances surrounding that decision were not detailed in the information available.
Following his removal, Zihan became increasingly vocal in his criticism of the current administration through social media.
His online activity included commentary directed at government policies and decisions, placing him among former political appointees who have publicly criticised the administration after leaving office.
The latest arrest, however, concerns the content of a specific social media post that authorities are investigating for its apparent encouragement of arson targeting state institutions.
Under Maldivian law, criminal investigations involving alleged threats or encouragement of unlawful acts require authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the statements and determine whether they constitute an offence.
The fact that a social media post has been deleted does not necessarily prevent investigators from examining its contents or the circumstances in which it was published.
Zihan remains a suspect in the matter, and his arrest does not establish that he has committed a criminal offence.
Police have not disclosed whether he has been presented before a court for a remand hearing or whether additional investigative steps are being pursued.
Further information regarding the case is expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
