No fear for Russian tourists visiting the Maldives: Government

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives (Foreign Ministry) stated that the government’s top priority has always been to ensure a safe and secure environment for tourists and there is no cause for concern for Russian tourists visiting the Maldives.

The Ministry’s statement was in response to Russia’s Foreign Ministry urging its citizens to exercise caution while traveling abroad, citing a perceived threat of extradition from other countries to the United States.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that more than 100 countries have signed extradition and prisoner transfer arrangements with the United States, advising citizens to assess the risks before traveling abroad.

According to them, tourists may be detained in one of these countries and extradited to the United States if requested by the relevant authorities.

In response, a Maldivian Foreign Ministry official said the government has always prioritized creating a welcoming and safe environment for tourists visiting the Maldives, including Russian tourists.

“No extradition or prisoner exchange agreement has been signed between the Maldives and the United States”, they said, assuring Russian tourists there is no fear of visiting the Maldives.

Russia is one of the largest sources of tourist arrivals to the Maldives. More than 209,000 Russian tourists visited the Maldives last year. More than 150,000 tourists have arrived in the country so far this year.