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Maldives police take in two foreign journos for 'questioning'

Mohamed Visham
28 July 2016, MVT 11:13
Police taking away the two foreign journalists covering an opposition rally on Tuesday. TWITTER PHOTO
Mohamed Visham
28 July 2016, MVT 11:13

Police on Tuesday took two foreign journalists in for questioning while covering an opposition rally in the capital Male.

Police spokesperson confirmed that two foreigners were taken in for questioning from the artificial beach area but insisted that the two had not been detained.

Eyewitnesses said the two journalists were covering the gathering at the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) camp near the artificial beach when they were taken away by around a dozen police officers.

"There was no clashes. But the opposition supporters protested against the government and the police," an eyewitness told Mihaaru.

Mihaaru understands that the two journalists were a Polish and an Italian national who are in the Maldives on tourist visa.

The two were carrying media passes issued by the European Journalist Legitimation registered under Germany's GNS Press Association.

The two journalists pictured with former president Nasheed in 2012.

Sources say the two journalists were deported while they were in the Maldives to cover the controversial fall of former president Mohamed Nasheed's government in 2012.

They were believed to be in the Maldives on tourist visa which is prohibited under the visa regulations and the new penal code.

The government has stepped up its crackdown on media recently forcing the closure of critical media outlets and moved to silence free media with a bid to criminalise defamation.

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