MDP calls for withdrawal of charges against Thinadhoo Mayor, characterizing prosecution as politically motivated
12 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 08:25The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the charges filed against Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated. The party alleged that the expedited legal proceedings, which hold the Mayor personally accountable for a collective council decision, are a deliberate attempt to remove him from office and called for the immediate withdrawal of all charges.
A court hearing has been scheduled in the case against Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali, who is accused of submitting fraudulent population data to state authorities in a bid to secure city status for the island. | Raajje MV
The main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has called for the withdrawal of charges against Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali, describing the prosecution as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement, the MDP asserted that the charges brought against Mayor Saud are politically motivated.
The state has charged Saud Ali under the Penal Code with providing a document known to be forged and providing false information to an official government agency.
The MDP stated that these charges are based on a decision made by the Thinadhoo Council. The party highlighted that holding the Mayor individually responsible for a collective council decision, or pursuing criminal charges against him for it, is a direct violation of the Constitution and established legal principles.
In a statement, the MDP asserted that the state’s failure to present sufficient evidence in this case stems from the fact that Saud Ali did not actually commit any such criminal offense. The party further highlighted that the actions taken by the police and the Prosecutor General’s Office in this matter were conducted with unusual haste, departing from standard procedures observed in other cases.
Furthermore, the MDP alleges that the Criminal Court is conducting this case differently from other proceedings, with the specific aim of reaching a verdict as quickly as possible.
The MDP stated that these charges were filed shortly after Saudullah Hilmy, the ruling PNC member for the Thinadhoo North constituency, allegedly threatened Saud Ali. According to the party, Saudullah Hilmy issued a public warning that even if Saud Ali were re-elected as Mayor, he would be removed from office and imprisoned.
The MDP stated that this is an attempt to strip a democratically elected mayor of their position, describing it as a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens under Article 26 of the Constitution. In its statement, the party condemned the politically motivated charges brought against MDP activists and elected officials at the behest of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, asserting that its members will not be intimidated by such tactics.
