A worker arrested from the Hanimaadhoo International Airport after joking he might be in possession of a pistol has been released from police custody.
The incident took place on Monday amid heightened security at the airport ahead of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s arrival on a three-day tour of northern Maldives.
During a security sweep, one of the airport’s workers joked he might have a pistol.
He was immediately arrested.
The President’s plane had been preparing to land at the airport at the time.
A police spokesperson said the worker was released from custody Tuesday.
However, the case remains under investigation, said the spokesperson.
Last week, a couple at the Gan International Airport in Addu City were arrested after they claimed to be carrying a bomb. The authorities did not find any explosives, and they were later released from custody.
Though uncommon, a few travelers have been arrested over the years over bomb threats, many of which turn out to be hoaxes.
Bomb threats are investigated as serious terror crimes.