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Friday 23 Oct 2026
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
MDP activist Ali Jumaan (Death), 25, has been remanded in custody for terrorism over encouraging arson. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)
Ali Jumaan (Death), an activist from opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has been accused of terrorism over allegations that he used social media to incite arson attacks on buildings and vehicles and encourage the looting of a shop.
Police confirmed yesterday that Jumaan had been arrested on suspicion of using social media platforms to promote and call for arson attacks against certain buildings and vessels, as well as the looting of a commercial outlet.
He was brought before the Criminal Court on Friday for a remand hearing. According to the court order, he is being investigated on suspicion of terrorism.
The evidence submitted against him includes a police intelligence report and statements from police officers. The court order also stated that his arrest relates to a post published on an X account allegedly belonging to him, with a specific report concerning the post submitted as evidence.
The court determined that releasing Jumaan could pose a threat to public safety and ordered that he remain in custody for 12 days, until November 4th.
Jumaan was previously arrested in October last year during a major MDP protest held under the slogan “Lootuvaifi Lootuvaifi”.
The controversial post on his X account had been deleted before his arrest on Thursday.
His arrest follows a similar case involving Hassan Zihan, a former Deputy Minister in the current administration, who was arrested on suspicion of inciting arson attacks targeting the President’s Office, the Parliament and the Supreme Court. Zihan was remanded in custody for 15 days.
Under the Maldives’ Prevention of Terrorism Act, acts classified as terrorism include creating a significant threat to public safety, damaging critical infrastructure or disrupting public services.
The law stipulates a prison sentence of 20 to 25 years for committing an act of terrorism. Attempting to commit, aiding or participating in such acts in any capacity carries a prison sentence of 17 to 20 years.
