Nine out of the 12 Maldivians who were taken into police custody in neighboring Sri Lanka, have been released.
The Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the Maldivians were taken to Kohuwala Police Station in Sri Lanka at 12am on Monday.
While all 12 were taken regarding several different cases, five were taken just for questioning, said an official at the ministry.
Further, the Maldives Embassy in Sri Lanka is currently active in providing consular services to those under custody.
Following the Easter Sunday terror attack in the neighboring country last year, authorities urged Maldivians residing there to always carry their passports with them at all times.
The ministry reiterated this again following the arrest of the 12 Maldivians late Sunday night, going on to urge Maldivian residents in Sri Lanka to check the validity of their visas.
Maldivians residing in foreign countries have also been urged to keenly follow regulations and laws of the respective country, in order to ensure peace.
