Hanimaadhoo airport worker arrested over pistol joke released

A worker arrested from the Hanimaadhoo International Airport after joking he might be in possession of a pistol has been released from police custody.

The incident took place on Monday amid heightened security at the airport ahead of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s arrival on a three-day tour of northern Maldives.

During a security sweep, one of the airport’s workers joked he might have a pistol.

He was immediately arrested.

The President’s plane had been preparing to land at the airport at the time.

A police spokesperson said the worker was released from custody Tuesday.

However, the case remains under investigation, said the spokesperson.

Last week, a couple at the Gan International Airport in Addu City were arrested after they claimed to be carrying a bomb. The authorities did not find any explosives, and they were later released from custody.

Though uncommon, a few travelers have been arrested over the years over bomb threats, many of which turn out to be hoaxes.

Bomb threats are investigated as serious terror crimes.