Maldives Immigration says Police has handed over 23 expatriates arrested following the unrest in Baa Atoll Bodufinolhu last month.
Speaking to ‘The Press’, media official at Immigration said that out of the 23 expatriates, 21 were undocumented migrant workers. The official also said the human trafficking charges have been filed against the remaining two expatriates.
Immigration also said that 19 of the migrant workers were handed over last night and two others had been shifted to Immigration custody before.
On the 2nd of July, the expatriates on the island of Bodufinolhu, a resort under construction, had rioted over unpaid salaries and had taken several locals as hostages.
In the ensuing scuffles, several police officers were injured and police control of the island on the third attempt with the help from its contingent from Male’.
Following the unrest, 19 expatriates were arrested and have been charged under offenses of theft and terrorism. In the resulting court hearings, the expatriates have complained that they have not been paid for 6 months and have been threatened with death if they complained about the situation.
