Police isolate man after second alleged vandalism at Azeeza Mosque

The man accused of breaking the glass of the Azeeza Mosque doorway in Hulhumale’ has been arrested for allegedly damaging the mosque again.

The incident of breaking the mosque’s glass door was reported to police at 3:47 am on Monday. Photos of the scene show the entrance glass shattered in two places.

Police said on Tuesday that action would be taken against the vandal according to his condition, implying that the suspect is not mentally well. The agency did not share any further information about him or the action taken at the time.

In a message to the media on Wednesday evening, police said the same man had allegedly damaged the mosque again that night. No one was injured in the incident, and police are investigating it as a separate case.

In another message, police said the suspect has now been isolated from the community. Authorities are working to provide the necessary assistance to him, the message said.

Such cases of damage to mosques arise from time to time though not common in the Maldives. A month ago, a window of the Furqaan Mosque in Male’ City was damaged and the glass of its entrance doorway was smashed. Police have arrested mosque vandals several times in the past in similar incidents.