Indian, British journalists arrested in Maldives to be deported

Two journalists, an Indian and a British national of Indian origin, who were arrested on Friday in the Maldives under State of Emergency decree for national security purposes will be deported, the police said.

Indian citizen Money Sharma from Amritsar and India-born British national Atish Ravji Patel, both working for AFP, were in the crisis-hit Indian Ocean atoll nation to cover the state of Emergency, which was declared on February 6 by President Abdulla Yameen.

The two were taken into police custody on Friday and will be deported as they were “working in the country on a tourist visa in violation of the immigration law.” However, no legal action will be taken against them, the Maldives government said in a press release.

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“We would like to note that although they (the two journalists) have been asked to leave the Maldives, no other legal steps shall be taken against them,” the statement said.

“All foreign nationals intending to work in the country should obtain either a business or work visa and this applies to journalists as well,” it said.

India's external affairs ministry confirmed that it had received information about an Indian national, Money Sharma, working as a journalist, who has been detained.

"Received information about an Indian national, Money Sharma, working as a journalist, who has been detained by the Maldivian authorities. We have asked our Embassy to get in touch with the local authorities to ascertain more details of the case," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"We don't have freedom of press anymore. Last night one of the leading TV stations was closed. We call for their immediate release and restoration of democracy and rule of law," Ali Zahir, Member of Parliament, Maldives said about the arrest of the two reporters.