Police arrest 25-year-old over social media calls for arson, looting amid Ras Malé controversy

Police have arrested a 25-year-old man accused of using social media to encourage arson and looting in protest against the government's decision to award the Ras Malé development project to UAE-based Eagle Hills.

The suspect has been identified as Ali Jumaan, 25, of Kulhavahge, HA. Baarah. Police said he was arrested on Thursday under a court order.

According to police, Jumaan is suspected of using social media to call for buildings and vehicles in the Maldives to be set on fire and to encourage the looting of shops.

Jumaan, who is active on social media under the name "Deth", frequently publishes posts criticising the government.

Screenshots of a social media post allegedly published by Jumaan on Monday have circulated online. In the post, he questioned whether Maldivians should remain silent while the government grants land to Jews for 100 years.

He subsequently called for buildings and vehicles to be set on fire and for Red Wave shops to be looted, according to the screenshots.

Jumaan was previously among nine people arrested during a protest organised by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in May.

At the time, he was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police officers in the performance of their duties and disobeying police orders during confrontations between protesters and officers.

The latest arrest comes amid opposition to the government's agreement with Eagle Hills for the development of Ras Malé, with critics raising concerns over the terms of the project and the rights granted to the foreign developer.