12 suspects have been arrested in connection to the murder of Mohamed Anas, who was stabbed to death on July 31.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that 12 suspects were arrested from Maafannu Asareehiyaa in a special operation on Sunday night, including those that were actively involved in the murder of 25-year-old Anas.

Police added that those arrested includes suspects wanted in connection to the gang violence across the capital Malé City.

Some minors were also taken into police custody on Sunday night, said police media officer.

25-year-old Anas, native to Raa Meedhoo, was stabbed to death by a group of masked assailants in the capital Malé City last Monday, with some eyewitnesses reporting his attackers had fled in three motorcycles afterwards.

Anas, who had worked as a captain on a speedboat, was killed not long after he arrived in Malé that day.

A family member told RaajjeMV that they received the news of the stabbing "just 30 minutes after he left the house".

While police have not revealed any details of their investigation into his death, President Abdulla Yameen had, on Thursday, said that Anas had been killed "by mistake because to the t. shirt he had been wearing".

Last week, MPS said that they are searching for 34 individuals over the recent spike in gang violence across the capital, with over 20 already in police custody.

Three days before Anas's murder, Nadheem 'Nadey' Abdul Rahman succumbed to injuries after being stabbed in the head on July 27. He was at a café when he was attacked by a group of masked men.