PA imagesMaldives Police have apologised to a woman they arrested earlier this week for wearing a bikini on the beach, admitting the situation was ‘badly handled’.
The unnamed woman, who can be heard speaking in a British accent in a clip that has since gone viral on social media, was detained by police officers on a beach on the island of Maafushi, in Kaafu Atoll on February 6.
The woman can be heard repeatedly shouting, ‘You are sexually assaulting me,’ while officers struggle to handcuff her. Another man can be seen trying to cover her up with a towel as she is led away from the area.
Maafushi rashu therey bikini laigen tourist eh hingan massakai kurumun fuluhunaai rayyithun naseyhai dhee ekan nuhuhtumun baaruge beynun koh hayyaru kohfi.
Ithuru mauloomaath: https://t.co/BzfpqEJUqs pic.twitter.com/QTf250LHXF
— #MvCrisis 🇲🇻 (@MvCrisis) February 6, 2020
The video sparked outrage with people saying the woman was ‘manhandled’.
Maldives Police have since released a statement apologising for the way the situation was handled.
Part of the statement reads:
Maldives Police Services sincerely apologizes to the tourist and the public for the regretful manner in which the incident took place. A full inquiry has been initiated to ensure that disproportionate measures are not implemented in such situations and assures the public and the family that action will be taken against any violations following the findings of the inquiry.
A team of Professional Standards Command of the Maldives Police Service was dispatched to Maafushi last night [February 6th] and is expected to report to the Commissioner on its findings in the next two days.
The safety and security of our country including both residents and visitors alike are of paramount importance to us. Which is why we should like to remind the many visitors who come to our country to be mindful of local sensitivies when visiting inhabited islands.
Press Statement: PMC/2020/05 regarding the incident that occurred between a tourist and police at Maafushi island on 6th of February 2020.#MPSPressStatement#FuluhungeNoosBayaan#MPSNoosBayaan pic.twitter.com/JWpy35emUj
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) February 7, 2020
Despite Maafushi being a popular tourism destination, wearing bikinis is reported to be ‘strictly prohibited’ in local islands, as well as the capital city, Malé. However, bikinis are still permitted in local resorts.
The UK government advises British tourists travelling to the Republic of Maldives remain ‘sensitive to local dress standards when visiting non-resort islands’.
PA ImagesIt says:
Local laws reflect the fact that Maldives is an Islamic country. Violations of local laws may lead to a prison sentence. Public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited.
You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they don’t offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
[…] Dress is generally informal but you should be sensitive to local dress standards when visiting non-resort islands. Nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands.
If you’re visiting the Maldives anytime soon, check online for the rules and regulations for its dress codes to ensure what happened to this woman doesn’t happen to you.
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Niamh Shackleton is a pint sized person and journalist at UNILAD. After studying Multimedia Journalism at the University of Salford, she did a year at Caters News Agency as a features writer in Birmingham before deciding that Manchester is (arguably) one of the best places in the world, and therefore moved back up north. She’s also UNILAD’s unofficial crazy animal lady.