<p>Police and workmen used</a> pickaxes and drills to remove</a> “un-Islamic” sculptures from artist Jason deCaires Taylor’s installation at a luxury resort in the Maldives on Friday, September 21.</p><p>The crackdown came ahead of the September 23 election, which will see President Abdulla Yameen, who has faced international criticism for jailing opposition politicians and activists</a>, seek a second term in office.</p><p>According to opposition newspaper the Maldives Independent</a>, the Tourism Ministry said the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort did not have permission for the sculptures and they violated Shariah law.</p><p>Fairmont Hotels’ parent company Accor</a> had announced the opening of the artwork in July.</p><p>Jason deCaires Taylor gave permission for the use of this file footage of the sculptures. Credit: Jason deCaires Taylor via Storyful</p><br />
