Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) parliamentary group leader Imthiyaz Fahmy has received a message threatening his life, the MP said on Friday. 

The message MP Fahmy received via the instant messaging application Viber from unknown number said he 'would be stabbed to death'.

This threat comes at a time when parliamentarians, especially opposition MPs, have expressed concern about their safety with some stating, on social networks and in other news sources, that the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) no longer stands for the task of providing safety to individual MPs.

Opposition MPs frequently report threats against them, only to be forced to express concern that their cases are not pursued or probed by the relevant authorities.

Fahmy is extremely vocal about his disagreement with the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives and President Abdulla Yameen’s policies. He had also recently spoken at a Maldives United Opposition (MUO) rally in Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll.

Former Parliament Speaker, MP Abdulla Shahid along with former Police Commissioner MP Abdulla Riyaz had called on the police and relevant commissions to investigate the threat.