Authorities seize MP Musthafa's passport for three months
The Thimarafushi MP's passport has been seized from 8th August to 8th November
MP for Thimarafushi constituency Mohamed Musthafa
Authorities have confiscated the passport of Thimarafushi constituency MP Mohamed Musthafa.
The Criminal Court order, issued under the request of the Maldives Police Service (MPS), states that the lawmaker's passport has been seized over comments he had made on RaajjeTV's "Fala Surukhee" programme on the 28th of July 2017.
The order stated that MP Musthafa had, during the live programme, called on the people to overthrow President Abdulla Yameen, encouraging them of committing unlawful acts to do so.
Noting that an investigation has been launched into the matter, police said that Musthafa's passport was withheld because he was a flight risk, and that him fleeing could hinder the investigation. The order allows authorities to withhold his passport for a period of three months, from 8th August to 8th November.
The court order also noted that video evidence and a transcript of his comments on the show, have been submitted against him.
Earlier on Tuesday, MPS had summoned Musthafa for questioning, which was cancelled shortly after.
In addition to MP Musthafa, authorities have seized the passports of Galolhu-South constituency MP Ahmed Mahloof and Nolhivaram constituency MP Hussain Areef as well.
The police have been conducting an investigation into some opposition parliamentarians regarding the events that took place on the parliament floor on July 31, and an audio was leaked of Defence Minister Adam Shareef later, vowing to 'settle' the matter.
