Misuse of anti-terrorism laws in the Maldives to target political rivals allows individuals actually involved in such crimes to hide easier, says opposition lawmaker Rozaina Adam.

Rozaina said this during a panel discussion held at the opposition Jumhooree Party’s headquarters in capital city Malé, adding that other countries have stopped considering individuals found guilty of terrorism in the Maldives as such.

Rozaina said that when individuals found guily of such crimes in the Maldives are first asked of their political background by authorities in said countries. The lawmaker said that this can be used as a ploy by actual terrorists to hide.

Rozaina, MP Mohamed Ameeth, and MP Ali Hussain had discussed the state of individuals who have been arrested ‘solely for expressing opinions different to the government’s’ in incarceration.

MP Rozaina called on the state to withdraw all charges against MP Ilham Ahmed, who is accused of accepting bribes and conspiring to overthrow the government alongside his collegues in parliament.