Police have started investigating the death threat against the deputy leader of the parliamentary group of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), MP Imthiyaz Fahmy.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) said on Saturday that the case had been filed with them on Friday night, and officers consider it to be serious and of high priority.

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

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.

READ MORE: Opposition MP Imthiyaz Fahmy receives death threat