Immigration condemns fake list of ‘cat meat shops'

Fake posts under Maldives Immigration’s name listing shop outlets to which cat meat were sold have been circulating across social media apps on Wednesday.

Screenshots of the doctored images show Immigration’s Twitter handle with the post claiming that the prepared cat meat were sold to several shops in Male’ area.

The Controller General of Immigration, Mohamed Shamman Waheed however, confirmed these posts are fake.

The fake posts are in relation to the recently discovered case of a 32-year-old Bangladeshi expatriate, Arafat Hossain, selling prepared cat meat in meal parcels to multiple venues and vendors. The doctored posts in question list out a total of 20 Male’ area shop outlets.

An Immigration media official spoke to ‘Sun’ Online confirming the circulation of these posts, and added these were photoshopped images.

The official further attests no such information had been publicly shared from any of the authority’s social media handles. The official also added that the authority had not received notifications of such a handle or link made under Immigration’s name.

The issue has gained public attention following a post on social media the previous day by local NGO, Feline Welfare Organization.

The animal rights group identified Arafat as an undocumented migrant who works at the Valhoamas Market in Male’ City. It said that he was suspected of “butchering, cooking, eating and selling cat meat.”

The public has also raised concerns about the alleged undocumented migrant, and also on the potential widespread sale of meat that is prohibited for consumption among Muslims.

Maldives Police Service on Wednesday confirmed the individual was arrested and handed over to Immigration on Tuesday, and added the authority was investigating the case.

In response to ‘Sun’ Online’s question about the next step against the alleged suspect, Immigration’s media official said they cannot provide an official statement since the case is still under investigation.

The official however affirmed prompt decision will be made once the investigation concludes, and added the authority will announce its decision then.