Maldives: Police arrest fourth Maldivian man trying to join Syrian war
Al-Nusra Front fighters
The police said the man was brought back to the Maldives with the help of 'international' agencies
The Maldives police arrested a Maldivian man for allegedly trying to cross into Syria to join the civil war there, the Maldives Independent reported.
On Tuesday, in a series of tweets, the police said he was“on his way to join Syrian civil war.” The man's identity and thedate of extradition werenot disclosed.
“In order to reduce the number of such cases, we are expanding cooperation with international actors and are working on increasing the police’s capacity,” the MaldivesPolice's tweet read.
According to media reports, this is the fourth Maldivian citizen to be arrestedfortrying tojoin the war in Syria. The other three are currently under trialfacing terrorism charges,the Maldives Independent reported.
If convicted, they can get up to 20 years in prison.
Several Maldivians are leaving the beautiful island nation mostly to fight withinal-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as Al-Nusra Front, in Syria.
At least six Maldivians are believed to have died fighting in Syria.
Although no official figures are available, former Maldivian president Nasheed claims there could as many as 200 Maldivians fighting in Syria.
WION had earlier reported that the growing radicalism in the country could be attributed to some radical preachers educated in Saudi Arabia and spreading the strict Salafi version of Islam in the archipelago.
This not only poses a threat for the Maldives but for India as well, a close neighbour which has a fair share of its own citizens attempting to participate in the war.
In 2016, about 50 Indians have been arrested for having suspected links to the IS. The detainees mostly belonged to states of Maharashtra and Kerala, WION reported.
After allegations that current President Abdulla Yameen's administration had failed to curb the threat, the Parliament in 2015 introduced a law which criminalisespeople joining foreign wars.
(WION)