Claims of "no political prisoners" amidst politically motivated detentions
Critics argue that Muizzu's claim of zero political prisoners is contradicted by the recent arrests of journalists and opposition figures following a controversial documentary. Despite official narratives of ending political vengeance, the administration faces backlash for suppressing dissent and restricting press freedom. Observers point to the detention of activists and media professionals as evidence of a persistent culture of political retribution.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu delivering remarks at a press conference. | Presidents Office
One of the most heavily debated topics in the Maldivian political landscape currently centers on a bold claim made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Speaking during the state media's Nation Chat program, the president asserted that the country currently holds zero political prisoners. He went on to emphasize that wiping out the deep-seated spirit of political vengeance stands as a core promise of his administration.
Selective memory
The president has repeatedly claimed that earlier administrations nurtured a destructive culture of political retribution, a practice he firmly maintains has been eradicated under his watch. Turning his critique toward the opposition parties, he remarked that their motives are entirely centered on generating public unrest and prioritizing their own self-interest. To add a layer of irony, he also underscored that a responsible opposition is absolutely necessary for a healthy democracy to develop.
Inconvenient truth beyond the script
The reality unfolding on the ground appears to sharply contradict the president’s optimistic assertions. A distinct trend of locking up political figures and members of the press reportedly emerged right after the release of the controversial documentary by Adhadhu News, which leveled several serious allegations against him. Following a highly controversial order handed down by the Criminal Court on 10 May 2026, which banned any nationwide discussion of the film, two journalists Leevan Ali Nasir and Mohamed Shahzan, were thrown into prison for supposedly violating this decree. Predictably, this sparked widespread protests and loud demands for press freedom. Further, the criminal charges leveled against the media outlet’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Editor Hassan Mohamed, are widely viewed as a direct, politically motivated assault on media freedom.
Nightly realities overwrite official narratives
Despite the president's endless claims that political prisoners are a thing of the past, the nightly scenes of continuous arrests at the People’s National Front (PNF) and the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) protests tell a completely different story. Numerous individuals have been hauled off into custody, including Hassan Hussain, a highly active member of the MDP National Congress who has been leading these very demonstrations. Similarly, social media activist Shamoon Jaleel was also arrested and detained during an earlier protest. On top of that, the official charges filed against former Controller of Immigration Shamaan Waheed are widely perceived by both his family and the general public as being heavily influenced by political pressure.
Art of hiding the truth
Critics argue that these repressive tactics are actively being deployed to suppress legitimate dissent and paper over the administration's clear shortcomings. They contend that suffocating the right to peaceful assembly and throttling freedom of expression are simply intended to hide the truth from the public. As citizens continue to witness people being detained and remanded based on nothing more than political grievances, the president's absolute insistence that political prisoners do not exist has led many to label his stance as entirely contradictory, drawing massive public criticism and deep skepticism.
