Minister of Home Affairs Sheikh Imran Abdulla, appointed to the cabinet under a slot for coalition contributor Adhaalath Party (AP), has stated that 14 terror suspects have been arrested following the assassination attempt against former president and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.
Home Minister Imran made the remarks after having been summoned for questioning at the People's Majlis on Monday,. He stated that efforts of some 450 police officers were dedicated to investigating the attack against former president Nasheed, and that while four people had been arrested with direct links to the case, authorities had also detained 14 other terror suspects had been arrested following the attack from across the country.
In answering a question posed by MP for West-Henveiru constituency Hassan Latheef, Minister Imran defended his comments from the night of the assassination attempt against Speaker Nasheed, where Minister Imran stated in an interview that Nasheed was doing well. At the time, Speaker Nasheed had been undergoing three life-saving surgeries at ADK Hospital, which had lasted for 16 hours, following which his recovery and rehabilitation is now continuing in Germany.
Minsiter Imran stated that he had relayed information given to him by doctors and Speaker Nasheed's family at ADK, which was challenged immediately by Deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for North-Galolhu constituency Eva Abdulla. Eva stated that she had been at ADK Hospital throughout the night in question overseeing Speaker Nasheed's condition, and described Minister Imran's comments about him being in "good health" as deliberately misleading. Minister Imran continued to defend his position and claimed that he had been "unaware of the dangers" to former president Mohamed Nahseed's life at the time he had made the irresponsible comments.
In addition to this, Home Minsiter Sheikh Imran Abdulla revealed that all four people arrested with direct links to the assasination attempt against former president Mohamed Nasheed had tested positive for COvid-19, alongside a number of investigative personnel. Minister Imran stated this as the main reason why investigations were not proceeding in a timely manner. Three suspects arrested in relation to the attempt on Nasheed's life, Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, Hiyaa, from Thinadhoo island of Vaavu atoll, Mujaz Ahmed, MA. Feyruge, K. Male' and Thahumeen Ahmed Folheymaa, GA. Kondey, plead not guilty to charges of terrorism, and have been remanded for another 15 days as investigations continue into the case. Ahmed Fathih, Dhunfinihiyaa, from Gan island of Laamu Atoll is the fourth suspect who was arrested, and is also currently positive for Covid-19 and under remand.
