Twenty Maldivian nationals have been sanctioned by the US for their affiliation with the Islamic State, including one man charged with plotting to kill former president Mohamed Nasheed.

According to the US Department of Treasury, Abdulla Ali Manik, who is now detained in connection with the failed 2021 attack, had several connections to terrorist plots in the upscale vacation destination.

Unveiling of new sanctions Additionally, it was revealed on Monday that Manik was a close friend of notorious IS recruiter Mohamad Ameen, who was also hit with sanctions by the US in 2019.

Ameen is suspected of sending dozens of Maldivians to fight in Syria and was the prime suspect in a bombing that injured 12 Chinese tourists in a public park in 2007.

According to the US statement, 29 companies, many of which are involved in the lucrative archipelago tourism industry, were also sanctioned for their connections to IS operatives.

Any assets held by entities or people under sanctions in the US may be frozen, and US citizens are prohibited from doing business with them.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson stated in a statement that the penalties are intended to "prevent and disrupt financial and other support for terrorist attacks globally."

Officials from the Maldives told AFP that the majority of persons who were targeted by the US were already being closely monitored by regional agencies.

In the Maldives, radicalization has been a top concern for the security services.

Foreign preachers are not allowed to enter the country, and the government has taken tough measures against extremism.