Police refuse to comment on reports that Maldivians arrested in Malaysia have been freed

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has refused to comment on reports that the two Maldivians arrested and extradited from Malaysia, allegedly en route to Syria to join the Islamic State (IS), are no longer in police custody.

When questioned by RaajjeMV regarding the reports, police media officer said that they are unable to disclose any information on the matter as it is an ongoing investigation.

When further inquired whether the two are still in police custody or not, the media officer said that he cannot disclose whether they have been released or not, adding that additional information on the matter will be shared soon.

The two Maldivians- a 29-year-old and 33-year-old- were among the 19 suspects arrested from a Malaysia terror ring. While they were arrested in August, their identities have not been disclosed.

The 19 suspects- 11 foreigners and eight Malaysians- were arrested in a special operation conducted by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division in Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor, between 4th July and August 30th. Among those arrested were two suspected commanders of an IS cell in Iraq.

In an interview to Malaysia's 'The Star', Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohamed Fuzi Harun said that the Maldivians "who worked as air-conditioner technicians were arrested for using Malaysia and Singapore as a transit point before heading to Syria to join IS".

While a number of Maldivians are leaving the country to join the war in the Middle East, the international experts and agencies say that Maldives has the world's highest per capita of fighters on the region.

However, the Maldivian government has denied this, saying that the number is "well below 50".