The Maldivian Democratic Party has said that Shidhatha Shareef’s Passport was seized to frame and harras her.

President of opposition Adhaalath Party’s foreign relations committee member and former deputy gender minister Shidhatha Shareef’s passport was seized at the airport, immediately upon her return to Maldives last Thursday, January 26, after a medical trip abroad.

MDP released a statement condemning the act, saying that the government is aiming to frame the members of opposition parties without validation by creating problems in order to jail them unreasonably.

MDP highlighted in the statement, the passport was seized under court’s order, without being informed the reason of seizure.

MDP further said that the government has targeted her as she is a vocal critic of the government, hence they mean to silence her.

Shidhatha, being a council member of Adhaalath Party, is a key member of Maldives United Opposition.

Earlier, Shidhatha has said the immigration officials told her that her passport was seized under court order, though the authority did not provide any documents or details on what the case was about.

The oppositions have called the government for “immediate” release of the passport of Shidhatha Shareef.

Adhaalath Party has also released a statement, alleging the seizure of Shidhatha’s passport was an attempt to derail the party’s efforts to strengthen ties with the international community, build a mature and civilized community, develop the nation, and produce political leaders.

Adhaalath Party’s statement further read, it is evident the harassment by government against Shidhatha, with the violation of freedom travel – a right ensured through Article 41 of Constitution – has no legal basis, and is an unreasonable punishment that makes no sense; this further proves the government has lost the support of the people and is desperate, as the presidential election looms closer.

Police previously seized phones belonging to her and some other MUO officials under court order, under suspicion of “obstruction of State and obstruction of rule of law”.