Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed the expatriates who were arrested in relation to the unrest at Bodufinolhu have been handed over to Maldives Immigration.
MPS arrested 19 expatriates in relation to the unrest on July 3 at the island in Baa Atoll. MPS revealed all 19 expatriates have been handed over to Immigration at the end of their 30-day remand.
The expatriates were employees of a contractor developing a resort in Bodufinolhu. On July 2, MPS received reports that 15 Maldivians working in the island were held in a hostage situation by expatriate workers over non-payment of salaries for several months. A team of officers from the police station at the nearby Thulhaadhoo were attacked with sticks and stones as they tried to enter the island. Two police officers suffered injuries during the confrontations.
Bodufinolhu is being developed by Seal Maldives Private Limited with the construction of the resort contracted to RIX Private Limited. RIX claimed the expatriates were not paid due to delays in payments from Seal Maldives. However, Seal Maldives has denied the claims, adding all payments have been issued to RIX in accordance to the agreement.