The individual arrested from Fuvahmulah City under allegations of spreading fear and provoking violence among the society through social media platforms, has been released.

The 19-year-old was arrested on 26 October at a time authorities have urged the public to refrain from inciting hate speech and violence among the people.

Further details have not been shared.

Police also arrested three individuals in Fuvahmulah city for threatening a police officer on 29 October.

The amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act give immense powers to the police including “arresting terror suspects without a warrant, conduct invasive body searches, deny private consultations with legal counsel and detain suspects for 48 hours before taking them before a judge.”

The new amendment accentuates political and religious extremism as well as radicalization as acts of terrorism. Any form of support towards promoting extremism and radicalization and even participation in such acts are included under the amendment, as acts of terrorism.

The bill also criminalizes supporting extremist ideologies, including political and religious extremism, and spreading fear within society, as well as any attempts to go to any war zones without authorization.

The amendments also specify hefty prison sentences for anyone convicted of terrorism.