The government has dissolved Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) regarding a report published in 2016 entitled Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in the Maldives slanders Islam and Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment revealed MDN has been abolished after allocating a period of 45 days to settle any debts and properties of the organization. The organisation did not contact the ministry within the period, according to the ministry.
MDN was previously suspended by the ministry after widespread controversy regarding its report. Prior to the suspension and the decision to ban MDN, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assured his administration will thoroughly investigate the content of the report and take appropriate action against the non-partisan non-governmental organisation. The decision was made after Maldives Police Service (MPS) concluded the widely criticised report slanders Islam and Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). Both MPS and Ministry of Islamic Affairs have since confirmed that the report contained written accounts contradicting the fundamental tenets of Islam and slandered Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).
A temporary cessation of activities upon MDN was imposed on October 10. On various platforms, the president had noted any attempts to tarnish the name of Islam will not be permitted in Maldives.