Eight Maldivians still remain arrested in Sri Lanka over the terrorist attacks that took place in the country last week, Foreign Ministry has revealed.
Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Miuwan Mohamed revealed 13 Maldivians have been arrested since the attacks on April 21 until now. Three additional Maldivians were arrested at the Galle area and remanded on Tuesday, bringing up the total number of Maldivians now remanded into custody to five. Three of the detained Maldivians have not yet been presented to court, said Miuwan.
While four out of the six people initially arrested have now been released, the remaining two people have been remanded until May 10. The three individuals arrested at the Galle checkpoint were remanded for six days.
Miuwan further said all arrested Maldivians are doing well and assured that the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the situation.
“The Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka will be providing consular services to all Maldivians in Sri Lanka. Officials from the embassy have been deployed to the Galle area to assist the individuals arrested yesterday. The embassy will extend their assistance to all locations in Sri Lanka”, he said.
While over 15,000 Maldivians reside in Sri Lanka, the Maldivians in the country are suffering the consequences of the terrorist attack that targeted churches and high-end hotels in Sri Lanka, claiming the lives of 253 people. The country has now banned the face veil for 'national security', the traditional Muslim head covering 'Hijab' is also became prohibited with the government’s requirement to dress in such a way that one's ears are visible when in public.
