No evidence of cat meat in food production, expat deported

Maldives Police Service today confirmed that no evidence was found against Arfat Hossain, a Bangladeshi man who was widely accused of selling food prepared using cat meat.

In their message to the media today, Police said they have now closed the investigation due to lack of evidence, and that Hossain has been deported from the country.

"The investigation being carried out by Police is now closed due to a lack of evidence to continue a criminal investigation against the individual arrested in the case," Police said.

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) also took samples of the meet found in Hossain's fridge and sent them abroad for testing. However, the outcome of these tests have not been revealed.

Despite his name being cleared, Hossain was deported due to Immigration violations during his time in the country. Images and footage that circulated of his living quarters on social media after his arrest showed that he was producing food in a crowded, unhygienic space.

The initial allegations surfaced against Hossain around August this year, after a video went viral on local social media spaces. Soon after, Maldives Police Service and Maldives Immigration apprehended Hossain and launched an investigation into the matter.

At the time of his arrest, authorities said that he was arrested at a saloon while attempting to change his appearance to flee arrest.

Upon his arrest, was first taken into Maldives Police Service's custody due to the criminal accusations, but was later transferred over to Immigration's detention.

Expat accused of killing cats, preparing food with cat meat

The Edition