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Two ex-Special Protection officers arrested

Two officers of Special Protection Group (SPG) under Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) - who were recently terminated from their posts - have been arrested on Wednesday.

The ex-officers arrested under the ongoing state of emergency were identified as Ahmed Shaaneez the former bodyguard to Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer and Simad Ahmed who was a bodyguard to former president Mohamed Nasheed.

Officers of Special Operations unit under Maldives Police had arrested both men on Wednesday late evening near a food-stool at Boduthakurufaanu Magu (the outer-most road of capital Male'). They were immediately transferred to Dhoonidhoo penitentiary.

Previously Maldives Police had arrested both men but was released shortly afterwards.

However both Shaaneez and Simad lost their held designations at the SPG unit almost immediately after their bail.

Sources also confirm a third SPG officer was arrested along with Simad and Shaaneez however authorities had not come forward with details regarding their apprehension.