Travel ban on Shidhatha Shareef lifted

Authorities have released the passport of politician Shidhatha Shareef after holding it for seven months.

Shidhatha is the Leader of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Jumhoory Party (JP), and former Deputy Minister of Gender and Family.

She sent a tweet this Sunday morning announcing that the authorities have released her passport after holding it for 211 days.

She accused the authorities of keeping her captive in the country for no valid reason.

Shidhatha reported to press earlier that she was not privy to the reason why her passport was held.

Maldives Police Service reports her passport was held at the request of Prosecutor General’s Office in connection with a case under investigation by the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).

Sources report Shidhatha is under investigation in connection with the death of Mohamed Ibthihaal in V. Rakeedhoo. HRCM has stated that Ministry of Gender and Family had been negligent in following up on reports on the abuse against Ibthihaal. The toddler had been found beaten to death in his home in 2015.