First Lady condemns oil attack on MDP’s Mandhy

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has strongly condemned Sunday night’s attack on Mariyam ‘Mandhy’ Zubair, an activist from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Mandhy, who works in an administrative role at the MDP office, was attacked with black oil by a group of individuals who followed her as she drove her motorcycle.

The attack came after Mandhy drew criticism for suggesting during a rally last week that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided to ban vaping in Maldives last year because his 16-year-old son got caught vaping.

Sajidha announced via her legal representative last weekend that she plans to sue Mandhy over the remarks, issued a statement via X on Monday morning condemning the attack, and describing it as “completely unacceptable.”

“I call on everyone to avoid escalating tension at a time like this and allow for the process of justice to be facilitated,” she said.

I strongly condemn the act of splashing black oil on MDP activist Mariyam Zubair last night. Such attacks and harassment are completely unacceptable. I call on everyone to avoid escalating tension at a time like this and allow for the process of justice to be facilitated.

— First Lady Sajidha Mohamed (@sajidhaamohamed) March 17, 2025

Sajidha’s legal representative, Aishath Azima Shakoor announced on Saturday that they will be filing lawsuits this week against not just Mandhy, but also MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail and the MDP itself.

Meanwhile, Mandhy is also being investigated by the police for possible violation of the Freedom of Assembly Act.