No evidence Arafat used cat meat; probe underway

Home Minister Ali Ihsan said on Thursday that samples were being collected from the kitchen run by the Bangladeshi national, who is alleged to have prepared and sold food using cat meat, and that the police investigation has not yet revealed any evidence so far.

Arafat, who ran a kitchen in a part of Ranaurage in Galolhu ward of the capital city, was declared wanted on Sunday and arrested the following Monday after members of the public accused him of taking stray cats to the house, butchering them and making food with cat meat. Police have now handed him over to immigration.

When asked by Atoll Times about the allegations against Arafat and the update of the investigation at a press conference held at Iskandhar barracks on Thursday, Ihsan shared the information available to the agency so far.

“The police complaint was lodged about people suspecting that Arafat kept cats inside the premises used [to prepare food]. It is not a case of complaining about using cat meat to make food and sell it to people,” Ihsan said.

Ihsan said the case was not filed but police were investigating whether Arafat prepared food from cat meat due to public concerns. However, the investigation has not received any such information so far, he said.

“And because he has not been charged with a crime or arrested, he is currently in immigration detention for a visa violation,” Ihsan said.

Ihsan added:

Asked whether Arafat would be deported, the minister said a decision would be taken after the police investigation.

At a press conference held by the Health Ministry this morning, Minister Dr Abdullah Khaleel said the allegations against Arafat were still unconfirmed.