High Court orders release of Thayyib

High Court has ordered the release of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) social media activist Thayyib Shaheem.

High Court authorized Thayyib’s release from police custody this Sunday morning after setting certain conditions – details of which are unavailable at this point.

Thayyib was served with an arrest warrant and taken into police custody on March 16. His remand was extended three times.

The High Court order to release him from police custody follows his appeal after his remand period was extended for the second time.

Thayyib was arrested for suspected deliberate incitation of fear among the community regarding the recent H1N1 outbreak in the country and other topics – including the cancelled trip by Saudi Arabian King, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud through social media posts.

He alleged in his posts that 12 black boxes and one silver box was taken into a VIP bungalow at the island of Aarah in a Saudi helicopter under the supervision of two officials from Maldives Monetary Authority.

MMA has denied the allegation.