Nine Maldivians have been arrested with weapons near the Pakistani-Afghan border, the minister of defence and national security has revealed.
According to Ameen Faisal, none of the detainees had criminal records, but Minivan News has learnt that one, Ali Shafeeq, 25, of R.Kandholhudhoo, had been arrested for his involvement in the bomb blast in September 2009, which injured 12 tourists in Male’s Sultan Park.
He was later cleared of all charges and released.
Addressing press today, Ameen said all nine travelled on three separate flights to Pakistan on various dates between the 27 February and the 1 March.
Two were arrested in Waziristan, the religiously conservative mountain region of northwest Pakistan, on the 11 March and a further six on 12 March. The departure and arrest dates of the ninth person remain unknown.
Faisal added the ministry had not yet discussed a course of action with the Pakistani government.
The news comes two weeks after the South Asian News Agency reported that three Maldivians had been arrested for illegally entering Waziristan.
The region, which borders Afghanistan, is rigorously controlled by armed tribal people and has been described by US President Barack Obama as "the most dangerous place in the world".
“This is very miserable and dangerous issue,” said Ameen. “Because of this, there might be difficulties for Maldivians in travelling abroad.”
The minister said there were no reports of Maldivians being killed in terrorist activities, adding Maldivians usually travel abroad for educational or health reasons.
Yesterday, Ahmed Saleem, the president of the Human Rights Commission Maldives (HRCM), said the commission had received reports about Maldivians enlisting with terrorist organizations and there were a number of dead Maldivians who could be classified as extremists.
“I don't think killing people and going on jihad are allowed in Islam,” said Saleem.
The remaining eight arrested were: Yoosuf Izadhy, 38, of M.Nicosia in Male’, Ahmed Ashraf, 31, of Hdh.Vaikaradhoo; Abdullah Sameer, 38, of Sh. Lhaimagu; Ali Faiz, 31, of Hdh.Vaikaradhoo; Moosa Yoosuf, 30, of L.Kalhaidhoo; Yoosuf Mohammed, 52, L.Kalhaidhoo; Mohammad Zuhree, 28, of Gdh. Dhaandhoo; and Arif Ahmed, whose details are as yet unknown.
After the Sultan park bombing, three Maldivians were sentenced for 15 years in prison in December 2007 after confessed to planting a device to “target, attack and injure non-Muslims, to fulfill jihad”.
Ten Maldivians were wanted by Interpol for their alleged involvement in the attack; some were believed to be hiding out in Pakistan.
One suspect was arrested in mid-January at Male’ International Airport on his return from Pakistan where he has been living since Interpol issued a warrant for his arrest.
From Minivan News
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