Maldives Police Service (MPS) has been disclosing the appropriate information in connection to the May 6 terrorist attack that targeted former president and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, as they come, says Chair of the parliament’s committee on national security services or the 241 committee, MP Mohamed Aslam.

The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s national congress held a meeting on Thursday where members deliberated on establishing a committee to closely monitor the investigation into the speaker’s assassination attempt.

MP for Ungoofaaru constituency Mohamed Waheed proposed the establishment of a committee for the purpose following which committee members deliberated on the matter.

The 241 committee has been conducting an inquiry to determine the security breach that led to the May 6 terror attack in the heart of the capital Malé City, where Nasheed’s residence is located.

Speaking at the meeting MP Aslam noted that findings are being publicized under the committee’s policies and that investigative bodies require time to complete the probe in its full capacity.

With this being said the committee chair noted that there is some information that need to be withheld from the public as the investigation is still ongoing.

Aslam went on to note that although the IED bomb detonated on the night of May 6 targeted the speaker’s life, this is a national security issue and is also linked to the country’s national security. He revealed that required action must be taken in order to ensure such an incident does not repeat.

The 241 committee meetings in connection to this case are being held behind closed doors.

The committee chair added that they will be looking into all of the details linked to the scope and objective of the inquiry. He gave his assurance that a complete report into the inquiry findings will be compiled.

Speaking to press earlier, Aslam noted that the committee work is proceeding under the set timeline and they are putting in their best efforts to compile the inquiry report by June 30. The committee is receiving the required information in connection to the case, from state intuitions as well and there are presently no hindrances to the inquiry.

The inquiry is being conducted free of any influence, Aslam assured.

It has been over a month since the IED explosive targeting Nasheed’s life was detonated and police have since revealed that they are satisfied with the speed of the investigations.

All four suspects arrested in connection to the attack initially, were those who supported extremist ideologies. 10 others were arrested in the counter-terrorism operation launched following the attack, with raids in 25 areas. As the investigation is being conducted under the instructions of the Prosecutor General, Basheer noted that there will be no challenges in raising charges against those involved.

MPS and MNDF’s presence has remained across the Greater Malé Region since the attack and continues to conduct special operations against religious extremism across Maldives. Although four suspects were initially arrested in connection to the case, including a prime suspect, authorities in late May revealed that 14 suspects had been arrested with suspected links to the assassination attempt on Nasheed.

The 241 committee comprises of 13 members including eight parliamentarians representing the main ruling party; west-Henveiru MP and MDP chairperson Hassan Latheef, Hulhumalé MP Ali Niyaz, north-Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, Thulaadhoo MP Hisaan Hussain and north-Maafannu MP and MDP’s spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy.