MDP activist appointed as Senior Executive at Tourism Ministry

An activist from main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has been appointed as a Senior Executive at the Tourism Ministry.

Ali 'Smith' Hashim was appointed to the position by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday.

Hashim was previously arrested for attacking former Deputy Home Minister of the previous administration, Ahmed Siddiq during the early days of President Solih's tenure. However, he was released shortly afterwards. Hashim has also been accused of threatening former Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah.

While Hashim has been arrested in the past in connection to the murder of MP Dr Afrashim Ali, it was speculated that he was arrested for a political reasons. He has also been detained on multiple occasions during MDP-led protests.

During a recent press conference, President Solih said 334 individuals have been appointed to political posts during his administration, while 465 political appointments were made by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's administration.