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Police quiz rights defender over 'multi-religious' comment

Police on Sunday questioned a leading human rights defender in the Maldives over a controversial comment on social media over religion in the 100 percent Muslim nation.

Shahinda Ismail, Executive Director of the local human rights NGO, the Maldives Democracy Network sparked a social media storm late last year after she said various religions existed in the world because Allah allowed them, in response to a statement made by president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom who said his government would not allow any religion in the country except Islam.

The former police integrity commission chief had been slammed by various religious groups, even prompting the Islamic ministry to urge people not to encourage or supports other religions.

Shahinda revealed on Sunday that police had questioned her over the Tweet.

"I am alleged of “attempting to disrupt religious unity by creating religious discord through Twitter ” and investigated under section 617 (1) a and b of the Penal Code," she said in a Tweet.

A local online newspaper in a harshly worded report over Shahindha's remarks had been accused of inciting hatred and violence against the rights defender.

The article has led to death threats against Shahindha but police only confirming that it was probing her Tweet.

Shahindha had lambasted the police for probing her comment but not those from people threatening to behead her. Local blogger and social media activist Yameen Rasheed received similar death threats before he was stabbed to death in April this year.