The 35-year-old man arrested on Wednesday night over allegations of jihadist recruitment has been identified as Mohamed Ameen, a man listed on America's terrorist list.

Ameen is the first Maldivian national to be included in the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") terrorist list. Sanctions were imposed on him by the OFAC during August this year.

According to theUS Department of the Treasury, Ameen is a recruiter and key leader for ISIS in Syria, Afghanistan and the Maldives. While he used to direct terrorist fighters to Syria, he now sends them to Afghanistan. Additionally, Ameen has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial material and support for ISIS.

Since the ratification of amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has been conducting raid operations from time to time. Ameen was arrested on Wednesday night over suspicions of his involvement in jihadist recruitment. Following his arrest, Ameen's alleged residence, M.Walnut was searched by the MPS.

The MPS has previously arrested a 27-year-old for encouraging terrorism on social media.

Following a report by the Presidential Commission on Murders and Disappearance, police began conducting raid operations last month; they searched a total of 13 places, 12 in the capital and one in southernmost Addu City.

As per the amended Terrorism act, the government has the authority to search the property of individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism or terrorism-related acts.