The Criminal Court has remanded 12 people arrested in connection with holding a man hostage in an apartment at a Hiya building in Hulhumale' Phase-2 on Thursday.

Three suspects were remanded in custody for five days while the other nine were remanded in custody for seven days.

On Thursday night, police rescued the hostage as the suspects were preparing to cut off his fingers.

Police said further investigations were underway.

Meanwhile, police security has increased in the Hiya area in Hulhumale' Phase-2 due to increased crimes.

A similar incident was reported in Male' earlier when a group of men held an individual hostage, tortured him and cut off his toe.

Several people were arrested in connection with the case. Some of the suspects were officers of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).