Maldives police arrest man for attack on Indian envoy's car

Maldives police have arrested a man suspected of stoning the car of the Indian envoy, media said here Thursday.

Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Rajeev Shahare's car was damaged by a stone thrown through the windshield when it was parked outside the high commission in Male Monday, reports Xinhua.

Police said the 22-year-old man was taken into custody Wednesday.

However, police are yet to reveal further details of the suspect, Xinhua cited local media outlet Haveeru as reporting.

In a statement, the Maldives government said such unlawful acts against any foreign diplomat or their property would not be tolerated and assured that all necessary steps will be taken to protect diplomats residing in the country.

"The government assures that the cowardly attack will be swiftly investigated and those responsible brought to justice," the statement said.

The Indian high commission meanwhile warned that such acts could affect the close and friendly ties between the two countries.

The high commission said the Indian high commissioner was in the car minutes before the attack.

"It is evident that there was malicious intention to cause damage to the property and perhaps to the occupant of the car," the high commission said in a statement.

India has been pushing the Maldives to hold its presidential election and have a peaceful transition of power ahead of its Nov 11 constitutional deadline.