Shidhatha’s passport seized upon return to Maldives

Authorities have seized the passport of Adhaalath Party council member and top Maldives United Opposition activist - Shidhatha Shareef – upon her return to Maldives this Thursday.

Shidhatha – who also served as State Minister of Ministry of Gender for President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration – reported to “Sun” that her passport was seized from the airport this Thursday morning just as she arrived back to Maldives after a trip abroad.

She said the police told her that her passport was seized under court order, but did not provide any details on what the case was about.

“I was held and my passport was held. I have been released now but my passport is still being held,” said Shidhatha.

Shidhatha had just returned to Maldives after traveling out of the country on January 17.

Police previously confiscated phones belonging to her and some other top MUO officials under court order, under suspicion of “obstruction of State and obstruction of rule of law”.

“Sun” has not yet been able to get a comment from police regarding Shidhatha’s passport being seized.