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State Minister denies sexual harassment allegations

Education Ministry's State Minister Ahmed Riyaz has said that he has not done anything against the law and regulations.

Riyaz's remarks come as he was suspended from his post on Sunday on sexual harassment allegations. Riyaz is accused of sexually harassing two female employees of the ministry.

Speaking regarding his suspension, Riyaz said Chief of Staff Ali Zahir had ordered him to stay at home due to an ongoing case. He said he had not been questioned by any government officials regarding the allegations against him and said he assures the public that he had not done anything against the law and regulations.

"Please don't defame [me] for political purposes," he said.

Riyaz is the head of PSIP projects under the Ministry of Education. He was appointed as a State Minister on a Jumhooree Party slot. However, he has since joined Maldives National Party (MNP).

State Minister Riyaz is the brother of Thimarafushi MP and MNP Vice President Abdulla Riyaz.