Criminal Court of the Maldives has ordered a remand of 7 days for the local insurgent who returned to Maldives after fighting in the civil war in Syria.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed a 34-year old Maldivian male who arrived in the Maldives was arrested on October 15. MPS said the man is suspected of taking part in terrorist activities in Syria and appears on the potential list of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF). Police have conducted a search operation at the residence of the man in Male’ City, as part of the investigation.
There have been several reports of Maldivians fleeing the country to take part in terrorist activities abroad. As such, several Maldivians have been reported dead amid terrorist activities in Syria. Meanwhile, Afghanistan had also reported Maldivians were among the insurgent group of 243 members arrested by Afghan government last year.
The administration is undertaking several efforts to counter terrorism and prevent violent religious extremism. In this regard, a rehabilitation centre is set to be established in Himmafushi, Kaafu Atoll to rehabilitate locals who return to the Maldives after taking part in terrorist activities.
Bringing back locals trapped in civil wars abroad and rehabilitating them is a pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.