Man Arrested Over Suspected Arson Near Galolhu Mortuary

Maldives Police Service has arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of arson in connection with last week’s fire at a house near the Galolhu mortuary.

The fire broke out at a residence in Huvafenee Goalhi, identified as G. Hiyaaroadhi, which was reportedly unoccupied at the time. CCTV footage circulating on social media shows a man arriving on a motorcycle, wearing dark sunglasses and a black-and-white shirt, before entering and later leaving the premises shortly before the fire started.

No injuries were reported in the incident. Firefighters from the Maldives National Defence Force brought the blaze under control within an hour.

Police confirmed that the suspect has been arrested on charges of arson and damage to property and has been remanded in custody for five days. Investigators said they had obtained CCTV footage and established a timeline indicating the suspect’s presence at the property shortly before the fire.

Under Section 220 of the Penal Code, deliberately setting fire to another person’s property constitutes the offence of arson, with the severity of the charge depending on the level of damage and potential risk to life. Fires set in residential areas or those that pose a threat to lives may be classified as second-degree felonies, while other cases may fall under third- or fourth-degree categories, depending on the circumstances.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the incident, and investigations are ongoing.