Night checks on expatriates across Maldives: Police

Police stated last night that questioning of expatriates out late at night will be conducted not only in Male' and Hulhumale', but across the entire country. 

The President announced in a post on X that as some expatriates are breaking social norms and affecting public order, he has instructed Police and other relevant authorities to stop and question expatriates out on streets and public spaces between 12pm and 6am.

In a subsequent statement released last night, Police stated that starting from last night, Police will be questioning expatriates out on streets and public spaces between 12pm and 6am in Male', Hulhumale', and all other inhabited islands. Expatriates out at these times without a valid reason would be stopped and information collected from them, Police said. 

"Police will especially look at expatriates sleeping in public spaces in Male' and Hulhumale', check their status and whether they are living in Maldives legally," the statement reads. 

Police stated that any matters identified during questioning will be referred to Maldives Immigration for legal proceedings. Expatriates living in the country illegally will also face legal action through Immigration. 

The President also stated last night that police and relevant authorities have also been instructed to take applicable legal action against those committing acts which break social norms and affect public order.

Police said that the questioning of expatriates out late at night fall under the service's efforts to ensure safety and security of Maldivian citizens. 

The government has been taking significant measures to combat the issue of illegal expatriates in the country. In a recent operation against illegal businesses operated by expatriates, over 70 places have been shut down.

Economic Ministry has stated that between November 29 and December 15, 74 such businesses have been shut down. They revealed that 252 complaints about illegal businesses had been received during that period.

In response to these complaints, searches were conducted on 98 businesses. 

Police and Immigration have also recently cracked down on massage parlours. This came in the wake of public complaints that many such massage parlours are fronts for prostitution. 

Last night, President Muizzu said that the government has increased focus on shutting down prostitution operations being conducted under the guise of massage parlours, with 52 such places shut down in a week from December 9. 

24 of these 52 places were shut down after being inspected under the Immigration operation, he said, while the remaining 28 places were closed by the operators themselves once they became aware of the operation.