Police have arrested 25-year-old Maseeh Moosa from Thimarafushi Island over a death threat made on social media against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The arrest was carried out on Thursday under a court order, and authorities have also confiscated his phone as part of the investigation.

The threat was posted in response to President Muizzu’s recent announcement to propose the death penalty for large-scale drug traffickers. Maseeh had shared a news report about the proposal and made a threatening remark directed at the President.

On Wednesday, President Muizzu posted on his official X account that the government plans to amend the Drug Act to introduce harsher penalties—including capital punishment—for major drug offenders. He stated the move is aimed at creating a drug-free generation and curbing the widespread social damage caused by narcotics. The President also pointed to similar policies in other countries as examples.

The proposal comes amid growing concern over drug-related violence, including the recent fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old man during a drug dispute—an incident that has underscored the urgency of the issue.