More arrested in connection to invasion onboard fishing boat

A total of 16 individuals were arrested in connection to the hijacking of a fishing boat.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that seven more were arrested between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.

All seven Maldivian men were arrested under a court order.

Highlighting that a total of 16 individuals were arrested in connection to the invasion on ‘Faskuri’, police revealed that they were released by the Criminal Court upon being presented for their remand hearing.

‘Faskuri’ was invaded by a group of armed men while crewmen were fishing off Vadinolhu Sea of Laamu atoll, on October 25.

Police revealed that a few of the suspects were arrested on October 26.

Police earlier revealed that the invasion was reported at around 11:55pm on October 25 where a group of men on a speedboat, invaded the boat.

Further, police revealed that their findings indicate that the boat was raided, however, no one was harmed in the invasion.

Officers confiscated the sharp-edged weapons the assailants are believed to have carried, onboard the vessel.

The case is currently under further investigations, and police have revealed that findings thus far reveal that the incident was caused due to a dispute in business. As such, those who had hijacked the boat had refused to follow through with an agreement made.

Initially, police had sought names from all 30 onboard the vessel when it docked at Gan island of Laamu atoll, however, they were released. 22 crewmen were onboard the vessel.