Six people have been arrested on suspicion of planning to carry out violent assaults using sharp weapons in Malé and Hulhumalé, the Maldives Police Service has said.

Police said the arrests followed intelligence indicating that a group was preparing to carry out assaults in the Malé and Hulhumalé areas. Acting under a court warrant, officers searched a guesthouse in Hulhumalé and the surrounding area, leading to the arrests.

Those arrested include two 30-year-old men, a 23-year-old man, a 21-year-old man, a 34-year-old man, and a 32-year-old man. Police said all six suspects are Maldivian nationals.

Following their arrest, the suspects were presented before the court to determine their remand. The court ordered four of the suspects to be held in custody for 15 days pending further investigation.

The remaining two suspects were released subject to conditions imposed by the court.

Police has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.