MNDF denies detaining officers due to audio leak

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has denied the talk of detaining some of their officers following the leak of an audio clip of an alleged conversation between the Defence Minister, Adam Shareef Umar and the MNDF Special Protection Group (SPG).

The audio clip leaked on social media today is an alleged conversation discussing the security of the parliament.

Following the leak, rumors started on social media that some officers of the SPG has been detained inside the military base and had their phones taken away.

Information Officer of MNDF, Ibrahim Azim said that news claiming that a number of SPG officers being detained for questioning is false and no such events have taken place.

While the MNDF has denied the rumors, the former President Mohamed Nasheed tweeted tonight saying that the detention of SPG officers and taking away their phone following the audio leak is an attempt to scare them and needs to be stopped.

The MP for south Galolhu constituency, Ahmed Mahloof tweeted saying that 59 officers have been detained.

On the audio clip, the alleged voice of the Defence Minister says that the high ranking officials would not order the MNDF officers to do anything illegal.

Speaking about the patience of the MNDF officers, the alleged voice of the Minister says that if he was at the security for the parliament on 31 July, he would have assaulted someone.

There has been no word from Defence Minister regarding the audio leak. And there has been no response to the calls and text message for comment.

Information Captain, Ibrahim Azim said that they have not listened to such an audio.