Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched an investigation into Joint Opposition’s presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, over comments he allegedly made at a campaign rally in Maalhendhoo island of Noonu atoll.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, police’s media officer Chief Superintendent Ahmed Shifan accused Solih of spreading lies regarding the institution at a campaign event in Maalhendhoo.

Expressing ‘disappointment’ over the matter, Shifan warned that ‘deliberately making false statements regarding the police is against the law’, adding that attempts to create rifts between the police and public ‘will not be tolerated’.

Shifan claimed that Solih had, during his visit to Maalhedhoo, said that police had refused to attend to a capsizing boat before the owner revealed his political affiliations.

Noting that police had looked into the matter, Shifan said that they had received such a complaint on August 14, adding that officers from its Ihavandhoo branch were immediately dispatched to assist the boat and any passengers.

Despite police’s claim, Solih had not made any such comments during his trip to Maalhendhoo island.

However, he relayed such a story during his visit to Hen’badhoo island.

“The boat started sinking due to the rough weather. He called the police after the water level reached his chest, and informed that the boat was sinking. Asked for assistance. He received another call shortly, asking whether he supported Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He repeated that his boat was sinking and that he cannot talk about that at such a time. That he will vote for justice. Police called a while later and informed him that they cannot send a speedboat to him. That they will go to the scene if they can arrange a launch,” said Solih.

While police claimed that Solih had made false allegations against them in Maalhendhoo island, its spokesperson added that all possible action will be taken against those that are proven to be working to slander the institution.