Maldives Police Service (MPS) has begun investigations into the case where two foreign journalists working in the country, having entered the country on tourist visas. They were arrested last night near MDP haruge, at the time when the Maldives United Opposition (MUO) rally was ongoing.
Police Media Official reported to Avas last night that the two were from Italy and Poland and that they had entered the country on tourist visas. The official said that tourist visas prohibited the holder from working in the country and that they must apply for a work visa if they wished to work.
They had displayed a press pass upon arrest. Police said they possessed no documentation that proved they were from a media agency. However, the documentation they had showed they were members of an association of journalists affiliated with EU.
Clause 113 of the Penal Code and the Immigration Act prohibits tourists from engaging in any form of employment. Police is yet to finalize a decision on the two individuals.
