CP Hameed associated with MDN for short period: Police

Maldives Police Service have revealed that Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed was associated with Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) in the past.

In answer to a question posted on popular social network platform Twitter if the CP was a member of MDN, the police said CP Hameed has not worked elsewhere while he was employed as a police officer.

However, he worked at MDN for a short period when he was relieved from the police force, they said.

The police further said CP Hameed is not involved in any investigation of the MDN report, and assured that the police are actively investigating the case.

Formerly the head of intelligence of MPS, Hameed worked at the Deputy Chair of MDN board after he was relieved from the police force in August 2012. The Supreme Court ordered his reinstatement in December 2018.

The Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) is a non-partisan NGO which aims to promote human rights and the values and principles of democracy in the Maldives. A report titled '‘Preliminary Assessment on Radicalisation in the Maldives" issued by the organization recently prompted public outrage, due to the report referring to Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) in disrespectful terms, and challenging Islamic principles. The report outlined several verses from the Quran and 'Hadith' of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as examples of ideas that contribute to promulgation of radical worldviews.

While a large majority of the country is calling to ban MDN, religious scholars have urged the government to expedite the process to ban the organization. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate measures will be taken as stipulated under the Maldives constitution. The police have stated that they will conduct impartial investigation into the matter.

Earlier on Saturday, the police confirmed that they are summoning several people for questioning over the report, although they did not disclose their identities. The founder of the organization, Shahindha Ismail, who is currently in Germany has reveled to a foreign media that the police contacted her to inquire regarding an address to deliver her summon to.