Former film star Ali Shahid (Step Ayya) has been arrested on suspicion of holding a man hostage in a Malé residence and stealing from his bank account.
A police media official told Adhadhu that a case involving a group of people kidnapping, beating and forcing a man to transfer money was reported on August 4.
A 43-year-old Maldivian man was arrested with a court order yesterday and further investigations are underway, the official said.
Adhadhu has confirmed that the suspect taken into custody was Step Ayya. He was arrested in the late afternoon on Tuesday near the JKT pharmacy in Majeedhee Magu.
The police also made an announcement looking for Step Ayya two weeks ago. Shahid, a political activist, was wanted at the time in connection with a forgery investigation by the economic crime department.
