Police accessed personal photos on activist Shiman’s phone while in custody
Police accessed an opposition activist's phone for 33 minutes viewing photos while in custody, leading to an unauthorized photo leak online
Aishath Shiman (R) with her lawyer
It has come to light that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) accessed the personal mobile phone of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) youth activist Aishath Shiman for an extended period, primarily to view photos stored on the device, during the time it was held in police custody.
The phone was returned to Shiman on Sunday evening. Upon inspection, data logs revealed that Google Photos had been accessed for approximately 33 minutes while the phone was in police possession. The battery usage log also confirmed that photo-viewing applications were actively used during this time.
The phone was confiscated by a group of police officers near Shiman’s residence shortly after midnight on October 8, under two court orders. The first order cited suspicion that Shiman had posted content deemed threatening to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, while the second mandated that she provide her phone's password and grant access to its applications.
However, according to the phone’s usage history, the social media platform ‘X’, where the alleged post was made, was accessed for only about one minute during the period the phone was in police hands. This discrepancy has raised further questions about the scope and intent of the investigation, and whether the handling of the device aligned with the original basis for its seizure.
Compounding the controversy, within 24 hours of the phone being taken, a private photo of Shiman was leaked online via a fake social media account named "Shiman's iPhone." The photo, reportedly taken and stored only on her phone, was released without consent. The circumstances of the leak, combined with the evidence of prolonged access to her photo gallery, have led to serious allegations against the police.
The incident sparked widespread public criticism and concern over potential abuse of power. In response to growing scrutiny, the police institution issued a statement denying responsibility for the leak.
Shiman has since submitted formal complaints to both the People’s Majlis and the National Integrity Commission (NIC), calling for accountability and a transparent investigation into the conduct of the police.
