Police begins issuing summons in connection to MDN report investigations

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that they have begun summoning individuals in connection to investigations launched into the “Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in the Maldives” report by Maldives Democracy Network (MDN).

While police have assured that they will summon everyone who is required for questioning in the case, police earlier began work to summon Shahindha Ismail, MDN founder and Executive Director, who gave a statement to a foreign media outlet regarding the case. She had moved to Germany by the time turmoil regarding the report broke out among the public.

Shahindha was ordered to present herself to the police headquarters within 14 days of receiving the summon notice.

A few other individuals have also been handed summon notices, revealed police.

The controversial MDN report is deemed to contain disrespectful content that mocks the religion, ridicules Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and tarnishes Islamic tenets. Although the report was publicized in 2016, it came into the spot light recently and has churned public turmoil, with several social media users calling to take action against MDN.

While MDN has since apologized, it was placed under temporary suspension by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment.

A case against the report was filed at Maldives Police Service (MPS) earlier following which they revealed that investigations have been highly prioritized. Police further revealed that everyone behind the report “will be held accountable”.

Shahindha took to Twitter on 15 October regarding the case, writing that the Islamic Ministry was “not only aware of the report” but had even “participated” in the report.