Condemnation of Maldives Police Service’s Politically Motivated Violation of Privacy and Safety of Women Activists

Over the past week, the Maldives Police Services have seized the phones of two women of the Maldivian Democratic Party based on politically motivated charges, and via anonymous accounts on the social media platform “X”, have released private images of the two to the public.

MDP’s National Council Member and the President of the Hulhumale’ North Constituency Fathimath Zahiyya, and MDP Youth Wing Member Aishath Shiman Ahmed were targeted by police following their participation in opposition activities, and had their phones seized on unsubstantiated charges.

On the night of October 8th, 2025, Shiman was surrounded by a large number of police officers outside of her home, and her mobile phone was violently seized without the presentation of a warrant. Within hours an anonymous account was created on “X”, threatening to post private images of Shiman with demands that she “back down”; a threat that was followed through when a private image of Shiman was subsequently released on social media. Shiman has since stated in an interview that the photo was “only on her phone, nowhere else,” leaving the Maldives Police Service as the sole party responsible for the leak. Shiman has also highlighted that the leaked image pictured her as a minor, adding greater severity to the crimes committed by the police, and greater urgency to hold those responsible to account.

Fathimath Zahiyya’s (Zaya) phone was seized last week regarding a post made on Facebook on 7th October, 2025. She was accosted by the police as she was taking her child to school, adding to the mounting pile of evidence suggesting the MPS’ intent to threaten and intimidate. Since then, leaks from the device have followed in a manner near-identical to that of Shiman’s, as another anonymous “X” account was used to threaten, and eventually release private images and videos of Zaya. Zaya, too, has publicly accused the police of being responsible for the leak.

Shiman and her lawyers have been informed that the police are not pressing charges, despite earlier information to the contrary. Logs regarding activity on the phone throughout the duration of the seizure shows more than 30 minutes during which the police accessed Shiman’s photographs through Google Photos and her gallery. Given the police had no intention to prosecute, nor evidence to support prosecution, and with clear evidence of their having accessed the private contents of the phone, their actions can only be considered blatant intimidation tactics, and a betrayal of their oath of service to the people.

With the closely tied timeline of events from seizure of the devices to the threats and leaks, and the gravely concerning parallels between Zaya and Shiman’s cases, there is little choice but to conclude that the MPS are the party responsible for this deplorable violation of their constitutional right to privacy and safety. The targeted harassment and abuse of women – particularly those involved in politics –  has long been a feature of the Maldivian state and policing institutions, and the police have been accused of leaking personal content from devices held under their watch innumerable times through the years. Given the sensitive nature of the photograph, those responsible must be immediately held to account, and prosecuted in a court of law.

The actions of the MPS are an affront to the Maldivian Constitution, and the privacy, dignity and basic safety of our women have been violated in this gross abuse of power. The excessive show of force and the needlessly violent conduct of the police during the seizure highlights their intent to threaten and intimidate dissenting voices, and the MPS’ willingness to abuse their authority to humiliate and control women through sexual violence highlights the depth of the corruption and depravity within the institution. Today, our law enforcement has proven, yet again, that they are misogynistic cronies and under the administration’s thumb, and that they will not hesitate to commit even the most heinous of crimes to silence all dissent and opposition.

Complaints have been lodged at the National Integrity Commission and the People’s Majlis, as well as the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives asking for immediate investigation to take place into the conduct of the MPS. The Maldivian Democratic Party demands that action be taken against the perpetrators within the Maldivian Police Service immediately, and that a transparent and fair investigation be conducted.

Despite the best efforts of the administration and the MPS, our women  will not bow to intimidation. Shiman and Zaya have shown exceptional resilience and bravery and have proven they will not be cowed by such pathetic, cowardly acts. The Maldivian Democratic Party stands with its members, and salutes their courage in the face of autocracy.