Minister blocks question by reporter on seizure of phone from man who clicked picture of pres.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has blocked a question by a reporter, on the seizure of the phone of a Maldivian man who clicked a picture of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on the latter’s recent unofficial visit to Singapore.

During a press conference held at the President’s Office on Sunday, journalists were granted the opportunity to ask one question linked to the cabinet’s decision as well as one question linked to anything else journalists wanted to know.

RaajjeTV journalist Shaihan Zareer posed a question regarding the seizure of the phone of a Maldivian man who clicked a picture of the president in Singapore.

Instead of replying to Shaihan's question, the economic minister changed the topic and asserted that Sunday’s press conference was in response to a cabinet decision.

Another journalist who took the podium for further questioning on Saeed’s statement, asserted that he had attempted to mislead them.

As such, the journalist pointed out that Saeed had said they could ask as many questions as they wanted about the cabinet decision and one question about anything else they wanted.

However, the minister did not answer any questions related to the seizure of the phone of the person who took the president's photo and misrepresented the entire question.

The man’s mobile phone was seized as soon as his flight touched down at Velana International Airport (VIA).

The phone was seized under a court order.

When contacted, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) confirmed the matter.

The photo was publicized by a user on social media platform ‘X’.

President Muizzu is seen inside a shopping mall with his family, in the photo.

He was seen accompanied by his security.

Social media users flooded the comment section of the pictures, pointing out that the SPGs seen accompanying the president were carrying multiple shopping bags.

The president and his spouse, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed returned home on Wednesday night after concluding their brief visit to Singapore, for a medical reason.