The seemingly-tranquil dream destination of the Maldives has been hit by rioting, with reports of armoured vehicles patrolling the streets of its capital, and late-night curfews.
The Independent newspaper today reports that the rioting started on Friday night after three prisoners died amid allegations of police brutality and torture. While several buildings and police cars were set alight during the rioting, the government in the Maldives has acted quickly to reassure potential visitors that the unrest will not disrupt tourists, stating that flights have not been affected.
As reported by News From Abroad, the Maldives, which comprises 19 clusters of tiny islands (atolls), was recently named in an Amnesty International report highlighting the government’s record of unfair trials, political repression and torture. The Independent points out that the Maldives government strongly denied all allegations in the Amnesty report, calling them “false and baseless”.
The Foreign and Commonwealth website, at www.fco.gov.uk/travel, was updated on Saturday. It states: “There have recently been civil disturbances on Malé. They are unlikely to affect British visitors holidaying in the Maldives, but extra care needs to be taken in Malé.”
