Ali Jumaan (Death), an MDP activist accused of calling for riots, vandalism and looting during anti-government protests, has been remanded in custody for an additional 15 days.
Jumaan is being investigated by police on suspicion of inciting violence.
According to a Criminal Court order, Jumaan, 25, of K. Kulhavah, Haa Alif Baarah, will remain in detention based on police intelligence reports, a report concerning a post published from his X account, and a statement he gave following his arrest. The court said these materials constituted sufficient evidence to establish reasonable grounds for the allegations against him.
The court also ruled that releasing Jumaan under the provisions of the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code could pose a risk to public safety, warranting his continued detention.
Jumaan was previously arrested on October 3 last year during a major MDP demonstration in Malé, on suspicion of disobeying police orders. However, the Prosecutor General’s Office later decided not to press charges against him in that case.
He has also been arrested at subsequent demonstrations.
In an X post calling for unrest, Jumaan reportedly said people could no longer stand by while the government handed land to Jews. He called for buildings and vehicles to be set on fire, urged people to stage protests and cause disruption, and specifically called for the looting of Redwave stores.
Former MNDF First Lieutenant and former Deputy Minister under the current administration, Zihaan Hassan, was also arrested in connection with the incident involving calls to set fire to the President’s Office, the People’s Majlis building and the Supreme Court.
