This was published 4 years ago
Maldives dress standards: British tourist arrested over bikini
Wearing bikinis is 'strictly prohibited' on local islands in the Maldives.Credit: iStock
A bikini-clad tourist has been arrested in the Maldives, prompting a public apology from the country's police chief.
A video circulating on social media shows a woman being detained by at least three officers on the island of Maafushi, in the Kaafu atoll.
She can be heard repeatedly shouting in a British accent "You are sexually assaulting me" as police struggle to put her in handcuffs.
Another man can be seen covering part of her body with a towel as she is led away.
Following her arrest, Maldives Police Service Commissioner Mohamed Hameed issued a public apology to the woman, saying the incident appeared to have been "badly handled" by officers.
A Maldives police representative said the tourist told officers she was British but "refused" to show them her passport.
Police said they received a complaint from a member of the public that a woman was "inappropriately clad" and "inebriated" while walking on the island's main road shortly after 5pm on Thursday.
The woman was approached by three officers but "refused to comply" with local regulations and "showed resistance", the force said in a statement.
She was subsequently arrested and taken to the local police station before being released without charge at 7.10pm.
British newspapers reported the woman in the video is Cecilia Jastrzembska, 26, who has appeared on UK TV shows First Dates and Ninja Warrior.
"Tourists on local islands are requested to respect the community's cultural sensitivities and local regulations by restricting the wearing of swimwear to certain areas of the island where local communities live," police said.
"Maldives Police Services sincerely apologises to the tourist and the public for the regretful manner in which this incident took place."
Local news service Raajje.mv reported that while Maafushi is a popular tourist location, wearing bikinis is "strictly prohibited" on local islands.
It is, however, permitted in holiday resorts.
The police service said visitors to the country should be "mindful of local sensitivities" when visiting inhabited islands.
PA
See also: Instagrammer arrested after coronavirus 'prank' forces plane to turn back
See also: More than a million tourists visit the Maldives each year. Here's what they don't see
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