49 individuals questioned in 241 committee's security breach inquiry

49 people have been questioned by the parliament’s committee on national security services, in its inquiry into the security breach that led to the assassination attempt on Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Committee Chair and North-Hithadhoo constituency MP Mohamed Aslam revealed this at a press conference on Wednesday, adding that this includes five from Maldives Police Service (MPS) as well as 32 officers from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) - despite a little hitch where MNDF said it will not be sending individual officers but rather answering as an institution.

Noting that all 49 individuals had responded to questions imposed, Aslam said that some were required to send it in writing.

Further, Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal, Vice Chief Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef and former Commander of the Special Protection Group (SPG) Colonel Nasrulla Ibrahim Majdhee were questioned twice in the inquiry.

Aslam on Wednesday said that some individuals were questioned twice for further clarification.

Others that have been questioned in the inquiry include Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed as well as Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz. Further, Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam, Home Minister Imran Abdulla and former Male’ City Mayor Shifa Mohamed have also been questioned in the security breach inquiry as well as Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Ali Hashim, Deputy Governor Ahmed Imad and the Head of MMA’s Financial Intelligence Unit Ibrahim Ahmed Nasir.

Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi was questioned this Monday.

While a three-member team from the 241 committee also visited the MNDF headquarters on June 19 as part of the inquiry, MP Aslam said that this was to clarify information relating to national security.

The 241 committee chair also revealed that they have sent in a request to meet with the doctor’s team that treated Nasheed at ADK Hospital after the attack, explaining that this is not over any allegations rather to gather more information.

The committee is also set to meet with Abbas Faiz, the president’s Special Envoy to monitor the investigation, prosecution and trial of the attack against Nasheed. The British national has more than 30 years of experience monitoring the human rights situation in South Asia, including the Maldives.

Also at Wednesday's press conference, Aslam announced that the 241 committee will begin compiling its report after concluding the inquiry, on Tuesday. He added that the committee has already come to an agreement on report structure, and assured that the report will be “fair and transparent”.

Noting that some details in the report will be classified, the North-Hithadhoo MP said that the committee is discussing on how to handle this and added that the report will explain any omissions.

While the first report will contain all details without any redactions, Aslam said the committee has yet to decide on sharing it with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Speaker Nasheed as well Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan.

The committee on national security services who launched the inquiry into the attack on May 24 is working to conclude all required work by the end of June.

While Aslam said that they need a week to complete the report, the ongoing second session of the People’s Majlis has been extended until July 8 after receiving additional time requests from committees; as per the parliamentary calendar, Majlis goes into recess at the end of June.

Former President Nasheed was the target of a remote controlled bomb in capital Male’ City on May 6. He had just left his house and was about to get into his car when a bomb attached to a motorbike exploded.