The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the travel ban imposed against MP Faris Maumoon. 

In a statement in response to the Criminal Court order that confiscated his passport, MDP called on the state to withdraw the travel ban.

Faris Maumoon, the son of former longstanding president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, had reportedly gone to the airport ready to fly to Bengaluru, India, when customs officials confiscated his airport under a court order. 

The statement further said that MP Faris had been not informed of the travel ban by any state institutions or the judiciary, adding that the parliamentarian was on his way to visit a sickly family member. 

“This government, faced with loss of political capital and rendered too weak to compete against anyone, aims to uphold its tyrannical regime. It aims to cripple political rivals, besiege the parliament, and rob citizens of their constitutional rights” the statement said.

The statement called on the authorities to end its ‘harassment’ of individuals and refrain from acts that are detrimental to constitutional liberties.