A man suspected of spreading extremist ideologies, and sending Maldivians abroad to join foreign wars has been arrested.
Police on Wednesday said they arrested a 35-year old local man believed to be a key leader behind an extremist recruitment movement in Maldives.
The man is alleged to be involved in sending Maldivians abroad to join foreign wars, and recruiting men for militant organizations, said the police.
No further information was disclosed.
The President recently ratified amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, under which strict action are imposed on those who recruit fighters to join foreign wars.
The new amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act further accentuates political and religious extremism and radicalisation as terrorist acts. These include any forms of support towards promoting extremism and radicalisation and any types of participation in such acts.
Several Maldivians have traveled to war-torn Syria to join their war. While many have died in the war, several Maldivians are stranded in Syria with no way to return home. Although the exact number of Maldivians in Syria are unknown, the government has stated that the number of Maldivians in Syria is 'concerning'.
A man said to be a Maldivian in Syria
