Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has condemned recent actions by authorities that he believes undermine freedom of expression and democracy in the Maldives.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) last night, Solih voiced his concerns about law enforcement summoning individuals and issuing warning letters to local councils over critical social media posts.

He described such measures as a troubling regression from the democratic freedoms Maldivians have fought hard to achieve.

His remarks follow the summoning of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activist Hussain Shafiu by the police.

Shafiu faces questioning regarding allegations of vulgar and threatening language used in a social media post dated November 8.

The post, which criticized the recent price hike of cigarettes, included disrespectful comments about President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and concluded with the phrase, "Don’t let me see you on a street."

The summons has sparked criticism from MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, who remarked that "criticizing the government has now become a crime."

In addition, the President of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council, Mohamed Ahmed, is reportedly under investigation by the Local Government Authority for alleged defamatory remarks against President Muizzu.

Solih's post emphasized that the use of police action and official warnings in response to criticism signals a dangerous step backward for democracy in the Maldives.