Former Deputy Minister Remanded for 15 Days Over Alleged Arson Threats Against State Buildings

Former MNDF First Lieutenant and former Deputy Minister Zihan Hassan has been remanded in custody for 15 days following his arrest over social media posts allegedly encouraging arson attacks on key state institutions.

The Fuvahmulah Magistrate Court issued the remand order on Thursday after police arrested Zihan in Fuvahmulah.

advertisement

advertisement

The arrest follows a social media status in which Zihan questioned why the buildings housing the three branches of state, the President’s Office, the People’s Majlis, and the Supreme Court had not been set on fire. 

The post, which included remarks suggesting that such an act “would be fun”, was deleted approximately an hour after publication.

A graduate of the US Naval Academy, Zihan previously served as a naval architect in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) before being discharged during the latter period of the previous administration, amidst claims by associates that his dismissal was linked to political criticism.

He was later appointed as a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Transport under the current administration, but was subsequently removed from the position, after which he remained a prominent online critic of the government.