Local man, three expats arrested for prostitution

A local man and three foreigners have been arrested in connection to a prostitution ring.

In a message to the media, Police said that Roalhi Guesthouse was searched following suspicions that a prostitution ring was in operation at the guesthouse.

Police identified the arrestees as follows;

• 43-year-old Maldivian man
• 43-year-old foreign man
• 31-year-old foreign woman
• 36-year-old foreign woman

Police said that the Maldivian man was arrested while he was engaged in sexual relations with a foreign woman.

They stressed that the case is under further investigation.

The arrests come after Economic Ministry publicized regulations on the operation and advertisement of massage parlors following widespread concern over the parlors being used as a cover for prostitution rings.

The regulation prohibits posting photos and videos of massage parlors on social media for advertisement.