Ali Murthala, 50, arrested for threatening High Court Chief Judge Shujau Usman is reportedly a member of the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

While the 50-year-old is native to Maafushi island in Kaafu atoll, he was arrested under a court order issued by the Kaashidhoo Magistrate Court on Saturday.

The court order states that Murthala made death threats against the judge at around 5:15pm on Friday, while the judge was on holiday in the island with his family.

RaajjeMV also understands that police had requested an arrest warrant after witness statements.

The High Court strongly condemned the death threat target at its chief judge via a statement released shortly after it came into the spotlight. The statement further reads that such acts intending harm to other is unacceptable and urged the authorities to ensure strict action is taken to hold those responsible, accountable.

Having previously served at the Criminal Court, Usman was appointed to the High Court bench during 2015 and was elected as the chief judge during 2018.