The government is working to end the unchecked cases of prostitution in salons and spas in the city and deport foreigners accused of prostitution, the Ministry of Homeland Security said.
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Captain (ret.) Ali Ihusaan told a news conference today that 11 places of prostitution in the name of spas and salons in the city have come to the attention of the ministry.
The ministry is taking legal action against these places, he said.
Ihusaan further said that the ministry has discovered foreign women being imported on tourist visas for prostitution in massage parlors and salons. The ministry has now started the immediate deportation of such persons, he said.
"People are imported and used on tourist visas for prostitution. The ministry is working to deport such people immediately," he said.
Prostitution in the Malé area has expanded dramatically in the past five years. The business began to expand due to the lack of action against foreigners who are openly advertising on various social media platforms.
It is the policy of this government to put an end to the widespread prostitution and find a permanent solution to the problem of prostitution in the Malé area.