Malaysian police have arrested a Maldivian national in connection with an ongoing investigation.

In a message to the media, Maldives police said 28-year-old Abdul Bathin Mohamed Musthafa had been detained in Malaysia.

Malaysian authorities informed the Maldives Police Service about his detention. Police did not provide details of the investigation in Malaysia.

But several social media posts accusing him of selling drugs, extortion and other serious crimes were circulated last week.

Maldives police said they were investigating a domestic violence allegation against Bathin, but did not say why he was not taken into custody in Male'.