Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to adopt “appropriate sanctions” in the sexual harassment allegation against his head of communications.

The editor of online news outlet Mihaaru’s English edition is to have filed cases against the President’s Office official in February, at the relevant agencies.

While Rae Munavvar alleges that Hassan Ismail offered her staff opportunities and exclusive access to stories related to the president, in return for “some time” with her at a resort or his apartment in neighoring Sri Lanka.

Noting that she had filed the case immediately, RSF expressed concern over the lack of action taken in the case.

It’s head of Asia-Pacific desk, Daniel Bastard described the “shocking inaction” indicates “serious problems with the Maldivian administration and police”.

Calling on President Solih to “intervene at once by firing his communications director and launching an internal investigation into this unacceptable case of sexual harassment combined with an attempt to bribe a journalist”, Daniel stressed that “the credibility of the rule of law in the Republic of Maldives is at stake.”

While the president is being called to take action against his communications director over the harassment claims, he last fire Tourism Minister Ali Waheed hours after learning of the sexual abuse allegations against him.