Maldives Police Service has refused to disclose the nationality of a foreign man seen working with the police in breaking up Friday's 'India Out' rally.
Spearheaded by Yameen, the opposition's India Out campaign seeks to drive out Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. The movement has gained momentum in recent months, especially in the atolls. A large-scale event was held in the capital on Friday, and the police obstructed the protestors during the event.
Some media have reported that a foreign man was seen in a police vehicle instructing the police during the rally. Publishing the unidentified man's pictures, some media have reported that he was an Indian national.
The pictures have been going viral on social media and have met with public outrage. Some wrote on social media platforms that the man's presence and actions show just how much India was involved in Maldives' internal affair. They called on MPS to disclose the nationality of the man.
However, the police have not given any information on his nationality.
In a message sent to local media, MPS said the foreigner worked in the health department of MPS. The police said the man was working with the police medical team during Friday's rally. They made no mention of his nationality.
'Our staff has informed us that he was facing threats due to the way his photo and information was shared by some local media,' the police said.
Seventeen people were arrested at Friday's 'India Out' event. They have not been released thus far.
