Maldives apologises to couple over 'hate' wedding ceremony

The Maldivian ambassador in Geneva, conveyed to the couple, the government's "profound and heartfelt apologies," the Maldivian government said today.

"Ambassador Iruthisham Adam, from the Maldives embassy in Geneva, personally telephoned the couple, who asked to remain anonymous, yesterday to extend the government's profound and heartfelt apologies," a statement said.

A video of the ceremony said to have taken place on October 11, during which the hapless couple were taunted and subjected to insulting and religious-tinged abuse, was posted on YouTube two weeks later.

The video has sparked fears for the country's tourism-dependent economy. The Vilu Reef hotel initially identified the victims as Swiss, but a senior tourism source in the Maldives told AFP they were French.

Maldivian authorities declined to confirm their nationality. "I informed the couple the entire country is deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened," the president's office quoted the ambassador as saying. "The Maldives is renowned for its warm hospitality and this incident has brought great shame upon our tourism industry and our country."

Maldivian police have arrested the hotel employee who conducted the ceremony and used profanities throughout the renewal of wedding vows by the couple, who paid 1,300 dollars for the event.