Maldives Police Service (MPS) has arrested a 35-year-old, on allegations of jihadist recruitment.

The man was arrested on Wednesday night.

Police said that the man was arrested on suspicion of recruiting Maldivians to terrorist organization. It added that he is one of the key leaders of a jihadist recruitment network.

Following a report by the Presidential Commission on Murders and Disappearance, police began conducting raid operations last month; they searched a total of 13 places, 12 in the capital and one in southernmost Addu City.

The operation was conducted by the police’s criminal investigation command, forensic service department and divisional police command. It was conducted with the assistance of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Earlier this month, amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act was ratified, which gives police a wide range of powers.

Under these amendments, ratified on October 10, the act of supporting a terrorist organization and promoting such organizations is also classified as a crime.

Following this, a 27-year-old was arrested on October 12, over allegations of 'calling for violence against the public in a manner that would create fear'. He was remanded by 15 days.