The Maldives Media Council (MMC) has decided to investigate a suspected defamation case, over a news item published by the newspaper "Dhiyares".

The matter is scheduled for a meeting of the Media Council on Monday. The Media Council has decided to look into the headline "Two Indians arrested at airport with explosives" published in the newspaper on 28th last month.

MMC President Mohammed Shafaau Hassan told Raajjev MV that the matter was submitted to the council on behalf of the public. The decision to investigate the case was taken because it is a matter of concern to the entire society and the state, he said. This is also a threat to national security, he said.

Shafaau said the news has now been deleted. The Code of Ethics states that if a news item is deleted, the reason for the deletion must be explained.

Once the council decides on the matter, it will then go to committee stage to look into the matter in detail , he said.

The newspaper reported that the arrest was made at the airport by members of an Indian spy agency. However, the newspaper has now deleted the news and the accompanying tweet.