Sheikh Mohamed Hassan, 3 others arrested in Indonesia

Maldives Police Service, on Sunday, confirmed the arrest of four Maldivian citizens in Indonesia.

According to the police, the four Maldivian citizens, identified as a 49-year-old male, a 39-year-old male, a 36-year-old male and a 34-year-old male, had travelled to Indonesia via the Malaysia route on Thursday, February 13.

The police did not disclose the reason for their arrests by the Indonesian authorities.

Sun is able to confirm the identity of one of the men as Sheikh Mohamed Hassan, a local scholar who’s license to preach was revoked by the Maldivian Islamic Ministry in late 2019 following allegations of promoting religious extremism and inciting religious division.

According to the police, the four men have since been released by the Indonesian authorities and returned to Maldives on Saturday.

The police said they were conducting “necessary additional investigations” in connection to the case.