Juman, accused of inciting arson and looting, to remain detained for another 15 days

The Criminal Court on Wednesday extended by 15 days the remand of Ali Juman AKA Deth, an opposition activist who was arrested in October on allegations of inciting arson and looting on social media.

Juman, 25, a native of HA. Baarah was arrested on October 22, on allegations of using social media to call for the torching of buildings and vehicles, as well as the looting of a supermarket.

The Criminal Court ordered an initial remand period of 12 days on October 23, and extended his remand by another 15 days on Wednesday, just before the previous order was set to expire.

The latest remand order expires on November 19.

Court documents show Juman, an activist from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), is being accused of terrorism.

The evidence submitted against him includes a police intelligence report, a police statement, and an analysis report on the post made from the social media account in his name.

Juman’s social media post allegedly urged people to take to the streets to protest against the plans to allocate 500 hectors of land from Rasmale’ to Abu Dhabi real estate giant Eagle Hills for the USD 20 billion waterfront and marina project.

His post allegedly encouraged people to set fire to buildings and vehicles and loot a popular retail outlet owned by a prominent government lawmaker.

The post was later deleted.

His arrest followed that of former Hassan Zihan, a former deputy minister, who was arrested on October 20 for a Facebook post allegedly inciting arson attacks on key state institutions.

In his October 19 post, which was deleted within an hour, Zihan allegedly encouraged setting fire to the Supreme Court, the President’s Office, and the Parliament, remarking that it would be "fun."