Heightened security at Maldives airport ‘a precautionary measure’
Local media has meanwhile reported the arrest of a Maldivian on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in collaboration with the Islamic State militant group.
24 Sep 2017, 9:00 AM
Security has been heightened at the Velana International Airport as a precautionary measure, the defence minister has said after soldiers began carrying weapons and explosives detectors at the airport island on Saturday.
Contrary to rumours, Adam Shareef Umar told the press that the Maldives is not at risk of an imminent terrorist attack. “There is no such fear,” he told Mihaaru.
Shareef told the newspaper that armed soldiers were deployed in response to threats of attacks against airports across the globe. The soldiers will continue to carry weapons indefinitely, he added.
On Sunday afternoon, local media meanwhile reported the arrest of a Maldivian on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in collaboration with the Islamic State militant group. The man was reportedly arrested on September 14 and remanded to police custody but the authorities have so far declined to comment.
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