Maldivian arrested regarding Xin Yuan 18, alleged to have been involved in illegal trade with a North Korean tanker, has been accused of attempted coup.

Abdulla Fahmy, from Madaveli island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, was arrested earlier this week, under the ongoing state of emergency in the country. He is accused of bribing individuals to overthrow the government, as well as forgery and terrorism.

At around midnight of the 24th of February, Japan said that an aircraft belonging to its Maritime Self-Defence Force spotted the Maldivian-flagged tanker, Xin Yuan 18, ‘laying alongside’ North Korean- flagged Chon Ma San. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “following comprehensive assessment, the Government of Japan strongly suspects that they conducted ship-to- ship transfers banned by UNSCR [United Nations Security Council Resolution]”. It also said that the Security Committee has been informed of the matter as well.

However, Maldives denied that Xin Yuan was registered there, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that Maldivian authorities “do not allow flag of convenience to foreign owned vessels to operate outside Maldivian waters, and therefore, the use of the Maldivian flag on Xin Yuan 18 is clearly in violation of the Maldivian laws and regulations”.

Not long after, the President’s Office released a statement, saying that it will ‘pursue aggressive action against those who tarnish the good standing and reputation of our nation and that of our people,” for using the Maldivian national flag “in such a manner”.