MDP condemns dismissal of staff, phone seizures following protest
Eight people were arrested on charges of obstructing police duty, with six still in custody.
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The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern over the dismissal of government company employees and the confiscation of mobile phones belonging to participants of the party’s ‘Looted, Looted’ protest held on 3 October.
The rally, which drew large crowds including participants from islands, ended in clashes between police and demonstrators. Eight people were arrested on charges of obstructing police duty, with six still in custody.
In a statement posted in English on X on Thursday, the MDP accused the government of attempting to intimidate citizens who took part in the protest.
The post said some protesters had been terminated from their jobs at state-owned enterprises, while others had their phones seized for posting on social media. The party described these acts as politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.
“These actions are proof of the government’s failure and its desperate need to control the people. Threats and influence have never succeeded before, and they will not succeed again. The voice of the people cannot be silenced,” the MDP said.
Two employees of the Road Development Corporation (RDC) were reportedly dismissed on Thursday. Dismissal letters circulating on social media show one of them as Mohamed Nisham, the company’s senior building maintenance officer.
According to the dismissal letter sent to Nisham:
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He was terminated without prior notice.
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He will receive one month’s payment in lieu of notice.
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The dismissal was carried out under the RDC’s human resource policy, though no specific reason was stated.
Nisham’s sudden dismissal will be challenged at the Employment Tribunal, according to party officials. Nisham was appointed to the post in August 2023, during the previous administration.
Meanwhile, police have also seized the phones of two MDP activists:
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Fathimath Zahiyya (Zaya), a member of the MDP National Assembly, whose phone was confiscated under a 72-hour court order.
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Aishath Shiman Ahmed, a youth activist, whose phone was seized for one month, from 6 October to 5 November.
The MDP has called for the immediate release of those still in custody and urged the government to stop actions it described as politically motivated reprisals against citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
