Friday
26th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Maldives Police Service (MPS) has arrested an individual for spray painting “India Out” on several residential buildings in capital Male’.
The individual was arrested Tuesday evening at around 1712hrs.
Abdul Ghaffar Abdul Ghafoor (34) was arrested from a bathroom in his residence, under a court order. MPS has confirmed that he was arrested for spray painting “India Out” on several buildings and that he has previous criminal records.
Following his arrest, a search showed that Abdul Ghaffar was a member of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). However, he is listed as a member of ruling coalition partner Jumhooree Party on the Elections Commission database.
This is not the first time a member of MDP has been caught attempting to inflame tensions. An MDP member previously anonymously had warned on twitter that he would torch the Indian Embassy in the Maldives. He was arrested but went on to contest in MDP primaries for the 2019 Parliament elections.
President Yameen championed the Indian Out movement once he was released from jail in 2021, by the Supreme Court. The movement calls for the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in the country.
MDP had, on several times, attempted to paint the India Out movement as funded by drug money and religious hardliners. In April, incumbent President Ibrahim Solih criminalized the movement by way of a Presidential decree. The decree cited that the movement was a threat to national security.
President Yameen championed the Indian Out movement once he was released from jail in 2021, by the Supreme Court. The movement calls for the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in the country.
MDP had, on several times, attempted to paint the India Out movement as funded by drug money and religious hardliners. In April, incumbent President Ibrahim Solih criminalized the movement by way of a Presidential decree. The decree cited that the movement was a threat to national security.