Authorities in southernmost Addu City have been threatened, calling to release those detained during a counter-terrorism operation conducted jointly by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

On Sunday, authorities discovered messages scribbled on paper and put up in different regions of Addu City, which contained threats to the authorities.

The notes call on the authorities to release the suspects arrested as part of a counter-terrorism operation and claims that it is the “last warning”.

It also called to release their “brothers” peacefully so that a “bloodbath” can be prevented.

The Maldives Police Service has since revealed that the matter has come to their attention and that they are currently conducting probes.

This comes at a time the High Court has ordered the release of one of the suspects arrested in the joint counter-terrorism operation.

With this, the suspect was released on 12 December 2022, to later be arrested once more. He has since been remanded pending the end of the trial.

A total of 14 arrests were made as part of the operation, conducted in Addu City as well as the capital Malé City and Guraidhoo island in Kaafu atoll.

The police institution has confirmed that all of the arrested suspects are Maldivian men.