07 Feb 2020 | 04:09 AM UTC
Maldives: Police detain three suspected extremists February 6
Police arrest three suspected Islamic extremists on February 6 after three foreigners were stabbed in Hulhumale; investigation ongoing
Event
Maldives police arrested three men with possible ties to the Islamic State (IS) on Thursday, February 6. The suspects were detained in connection to the stabbing of three foreigners, two Chinese nationals and an Australian, on the island of Hulhumale on Tuesday, February 4. All three victims are recovering and in a stable condition, according to the police. A Maldivian group affiliated with IS posted a video online on Wednesday, February 5, claiming responsibility for the stabbings. In the video, masked men threatened to carry out further attacks in the country. According to the police, an investigation is ongoing into the authenticity of the video.
Further police operations targeting individuals with suspected ties to IS are possible over the near term.
Context
In 2019, police arrested a man in the Maldives who was identified by the US as the IS leader in the country.
Advice
Individuals in the Maldives are advised to monitor developments to the situation and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the local authorities.
