Man stopped from flying drone without permit in Hulhumale': police

A man was detained in Hulhumale' on Thursday after attempting to fly a drone without permission, according to police.

In a statement, police said the individual was brought to the Hulhumale' Phase Two police station for questioning after allegedly refusing to comply with officers. He was later released after being cautioned.

While the man alleged he was mistreated in custody, police said there was no use of force during his detention.

Under Maldivian regulations, drones may only be flown in Hulhumale' with a permit from the Ministry of Defence. Police are authorized to intervene if drones are operated without approval.

Hamdhan Ahmed, a journalist from One Online, in a Facebook post, said he had been operating the drone near Nikagas Magu, on the seaside of Phase Two, at around 8.40 pm when two officers approached and questioned him.

He said he told officers he did not have a permit and presented his ID when asked for identification. He claimed police verbally abused him and said his ID would not be accepted as valid information.

Hamdhan, who was live-streaming on Facebook at the time, posted footage of officers speaking to him in what appeared to be an aggressive manner.

He said he was stopped when he tried to leave and was pushed to the ground as he walked home. That part of the incident was not captured on video.

Police said Hamdhan refused to confirm whether he had permission to operate the drone and failed to provide required information when asked.

He was taken to the police station for questioning and warned not to use the drone without proper authorization. Police added that no violence was used and the incident is under review.