Indian, British Indian Journalists Arrested in Maldives

Two journalists — an Indian national and a British national of Indian origin – were arrested on Feb. 9 in Maldives. While Money Sharma belongs to Amritsar in Punjab, Atish Ravji Patel is a journalist from London. Both journalists are employees of the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency.

They have been arrested over charges related to national security issues under the State of Emergency decree. “Two journalists (a British national and an Indian national) have been handed over to @ImmigrationMV to take action against them for working in Maldives against Maldives Immigration Act and Regulations,” Malidives Police said on the social media.

The Maldivian government said that the two journalists were on a tourist visa and that they were carrying out journalistic work in violation of the immigration law. ”Immigration laws in the Maldives require all foreign nationals who intend to work to obtain a business or work visa – this applies to all journalists as well,” the statement said.

No other legal steps would be taken against them, and they would be deported to their countries, according to reports.

Press Statement: PMC/2018/06
Two journalists (a British national and an Indian national) have been handed over to @ImmigrationMV to take action against them for working in Maldives against Maldives Immigration Act and Regulations. pic.twitter.com/K3aVMXKrny

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) February 9, 2018

The Indian External Affairs Ministry is following up on the matter. “We have asked our Embassy to get in touch with the local authorities to ascertain more details of the case,” NDTV reported citing a foreign ministry official.

“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 Azhar, a Member of Parliament, said in reaction to the report of the arrest of the journalists, ANI reported.

Joint Opposition spokesperson Ahmed Mahloof said that the journalists were arrested since the government is afraid that the world would come to know about what is happening in Maldives.

On Feb.8, RaajjeTV, a TV station in Maldives, was compelled to be shut when the military threatened the country’s media. “As the most watched TV station in the Maldives, we regret that the temporary suspension of our regular broadcast would deprive the public their right to information – a right that is vital for the public, especially at this critical time,” RaajjeTV said in a statement, the Maldives Times rerported.

The statement added that these are protected rights that cannot be suppressed even during a state of emergency, as clearly stipulated in Article 255 (b) of the constitution. “Following the Supreme Court ruling on 1st February, RaajjeTV received a number of threats including open calls for arson attacks, threats of violence against staff and calls to burn down the station by a mob gathered in front of RaajjeTV,” the statement added.

Abdulla Shahid, former speaker of parliament and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, also took to the social media to inform followers about the arrests of the two journalists.

“Two foreign nationals one Indian and one British, employees of AFP, arrested in Maldives,” he tweeted.

Two foreign nationals one Indian and one British, employees of AFP, arrested in Maldives. #StateOfEmergency #MaldivesInCrisis

— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) February 9, 2018

Earlier this month, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed urged India to use its military to end the political crisis in the Island nation.

A State of Emergency (SOE) was declared in Maldives for 15 days, starting Feb. 5 night, after President Yameen Abdul Gayoom said that the Supreme Court was in defiance of the constitution for ordering for release of political prisoners and lawmakers.