MNDF Requests Investigation into Unauthorised Access Attempt by Reporters at UTF
Photo: twitter via @saudan_ibrahim
The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has called for an investigation and subsequent action against Dhiyares reporters after they attempted unauthorised access to the MNDF site at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), as stated in an official announcement.
އެމްއެންޑީއެފްގެ ހުއްދަނެތި އުތުރު ތިލަފަޅުގައިވާ އެމްއެންޑީއެފްގެ ސަރަހައްދަށް، ދިޔަރެސް ނޫހުގެ ނޫސްވެރިން ހުއްދަނެތި ވަނުމާ ގުޅިގެން އެމްއެންޑީއެފުން ނެރޭ ނޫސް ބަޔާން pic.twitter.com/SbnpN3bRVQ
— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) September 24, 2023advertisement
In a statement released last night, the MNDF characterised the actions of the reporters as “irresponsible” and expressed concerns regarding the dissemination of false information regarding the incident.
According to the MNDF’s account, a group of reporters from Dhiyares arrived at the site on a speedboat and entered the military dockyard without proper authorisation. They proceeded to capture video footage of the area and made an attempt to access the island after the government’s announcement on Saturday night regarding plans to repurpose the remaining areas of UTF for residential use.
The MNDF emphasised that it had granted permission to several media outlets to cover the ongoing project related to the construction of the dockyard. Consequently, the MNDF strongly condemned the actions of the Dhiyares reporters who sought to access the island without proper authorisation, further obstructing military personnel in the performance of their duties.
The MNDF clarified that access to military bases is subject to strict restrictions, and the military is legally obligated to prevent any attempts to gain unauthorized entry to such sites.
It was in line with these regulations that officers, including those ranked as sergeant first class, intervened in an effort to halt the unauthorised access by the reporters.
