Maldivian authorities have become stricter in their action against expatriates who violate their visa requirements.
Maldives Immigration has revealed that they have made the decision to deport the six expatriates who were involved in a physical altercation in Malé City last night.
The fight took place on Asrafee Magu last night, which left two in need of medical attention. Maldives Police Service confirmed that they were treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) for their injuries and released later on.
A total of six individuals were also taken into custody in connection to the incident, said police.
Since then, Maldives Immigration announced that six individuals were detained for their involvement in the brawl, and that a decision has been made to cancel all of their visas and deport them back to their home countries.
The agency also published images of these individuals, who range from age 26 to 40.
The policy of the Maldives government now is to deport any expatriate who participates in physical altercations or protests in the country.
Recently Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan said that Bangladeshis who protested against their government's civil service job quota decisions and subsequent civil unrest in the country, in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Thinadhoo, would be deported from the Maldives.
"Foreigners cannot come to the Maldives and be involved in politics. It is a visa violation," he said.
Following these remarks, several law firms and Transparency Maldives issued a statement highlighting that this decision violates the country's constitution and expressed concern over the government's decision to deport them.
Authorities have recently been cracking down on undocumented expatriates and those who are involved in illegal activities in the country including running small businesses, manning stalls at the local produce markets, and being involved in spas which are operated as fronts for prostitution.
In recent raids, about 200 expatriates were detained and added to the deportation list while over 2,000 have already been deported in the past eight months.
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