Police seize MDP member Zahiya’s phone

Police on Tuesday stopped and searched MDP National Assembly member for Hulhumalé North, Fathimath Zahiya (Zaya), under a court order issued in connection with an investigation into an alleged threat made against police officers.

The Criminal Court order, issued by Judge Ibrahim Ihsan on Monday, authorised the search as part of an inquiry conducted by the Robbery and Theft Investigation Department.

A reliable source confirmed to Daur that Zahiya was stopped earlier in the day, her phone was confiscated, and she was later taken to the Henveiru Police Station to provide a statement.

According to the court order obtained by Atoll Times, an account under the name “Zaya Fathimath” on Facebook allegedly issued a threat to police at 11:08 p.m. last Saturday. The order was based on a police intelligence report, but it did not specify the content of the post in question.

In a video posted on X by MDP women’s wing, Zahiya said that police executed the order at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

“While those who call for the shooting of ordinary people are free, ordinary people are being detained without proper investigation,” Zahiya said. “They carried this out while I was with my child. They think such actions will silence us, but we will not back down.”

MDP women's wing President and former MP Rozaina Adam condemned the police action in a post on X, describing it as an attempt to “intimidate and humiliate a woman.”

Police have not issued an official statement regarding the case.