Farhad, who is accused of destroying evidence in a rape case involving his own son, appointed to lead police institution
This appointment comes amid serious allegations against Fikry, who is accused of using his official influence to destroy evidence in criminal cases involving his son. Similar past attempts to place him in leadership roles faced significant public backlash, ultimately forcing the authorities to reverse those decisions.
Farhad Fikry (C), who has been appointed to lead the police institution, pictured with senior police officials. | Police | police
Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikury, who is accused of destroying evidence in a rape case involving his own son, has been appointed to temporarily lead the operations of the Maldives Police Service.
Fikry has been appointed as the acting head of the police service following the retirement of Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen. Naveen retired from his post on Wednesday. Regarding the change, the police stated that following Commissioner Ismail Naveen’s honorable retirement effective February 18, the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusan, has designated Deputy Commissioner of Police Fikry to temporarily lead the Maldives Police Service. This appointment was made in accordance with Section 58(c) of the Maldives Police Service Act.
Fikry was previously appointed as Acting Commissioner on November 25, 2023. His appointment followed the retirement of Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan Yoosuf, who had been serving in the acting role after the retirement of Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed.
Shujau was later appointed as the Commissioner of Police. Following his resignation, Fikry was appointed as the Acting Commissioner. However, in response to public criticism, the leadership of the police service was temporarily handed over to the then-Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ismail Naveen.
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan and President's Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed initially announced on April 26, 2025, that Farhad had been appointed to temporarily lead the police service. The announcement was made at 7:46 p.m. that evening. However, exactly one hour later, the decision was reversed. In a subsequent post, Minister Ihusaan announced that Naveen had instead been appointed as the Acting Commissioner of Police.
Among the allegations against Farhad is the claim that he used his official influence to destroy evidence gathered during an investigation into the rape of a minor by his son. The case submitted to the Parliament’s 241 Committee states that a mobile phone was seized in 2018 as part of an investigation into a gang rape involving Fikry's son. However, the letter alleges that a criminal investigation revealed Farhad had deleted videos and photos from the phone and destroyed further evidence related to the case.
Furthermore, the letter stated that the investigation into the case had been concluded and forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) for charges to be filed. However, the PG Office has since sent a letter to the police, noting that certain evidence required to prove the case had been destroyed.
Furthermore, the allegations include his conduct regarding an incident on the night of February 27, 2024, involving his son. It is alleged that while under the influence, his son drove at high speeds across various areas of Hulhumale' and assaulted a police officer who ordered him to stop. Following the son's summons to the Hulhumale' Phase I Police Station, DCP Farhad is accused of using his influence to halt the investigation. He is further alleged to have unlawfully removed his son's motorcycle from the tow yard after it had been impounded.
This marks the second instance since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office that a police officer facing serious criminal allegations—including corruption, abuse of power, and tampering with evidence—has been appointed to a leadership role within the police institution.
