Fayyaz Ismail, the Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has expressed concern over the confiscation of a person's phone for taking a photo of the President in a public place, despite the absence of a law prohibiting taking photos of the President in public spaces.
Fayyaz made this statement in a post on X today, following rumors that a Maldivian's phone was confiscated after he took and shared photos on social media of the President and First Lady during their personal trip to Singapore while they were at a mall.
Fayyaz stated that the Constitution guarantees the right to do anything that is not explicitly prohibited by law. He added that this right can only be restricted by a law passed in accordance with Article 16 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, Fayyaz said it is concerning that criminal charges are being brought against an individual and their personal property is being seized in connection with taking and sharing photos of the President in a public place, when there is no law prohibiting such actions.
He described this as a "green signal" indicating the erosion of the rule of law in this state, and called on the President not to disrupt the country's justice system for personal interests.
According to the information received, the police confiscated the phone on suspicion that photos were taken in a way that compromised his security. Regarding this matter, without providing further details, the police have only told the media that a Maldivian man's phone was seized in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Fayyaz made this statement in a post on X today, following rumors that a Maldivian's phone was confiscated after he took and shared photos on social media of the President and First Lady during their personal trip to Singapore while they were at a mall.
Fayyaz stated that the Constitution guarantees the right to do anything that is not explicitly prohibited by law. He added that this right can only be restricted by a law passed in accordance with Article 16 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, Fayyaz said it is concerning that criminal charges are being brought against an individual and their personal property is being seized in connection with taking and sharing photos of the President in a public place, when there is no law prohibiting such actions.
He described this as a "green signal" indicating the erosion of the rule of law in this state, and called on the President not to disrupt the country's justice system for personal interests.
According to the information received, the police confiscated the phone on suspicion that photos were taken in a way that compromised his security. Regarding this matter, without providing further details, the police have only told the media that a Maldivian man's phone was seized in connection with an ongoing investigation.
