PGO decides against pressing charges against one suspect linked to May 6 terror attack

Authorities have decided against seeking charges against one of the suspects linked to the assassination attempt on Parliament Speaker and Former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Speaking to press on Tuesday afternoon, Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem noted that there are no legal grounds to press charges against Ahmed Fathih, 23 and native to Gan island in Laamu atoll.

Fathih was arrested from Dharavandhoo island in Baa atoll and Maldives Police Service earlier confirmed that he had worked in the police intelligence.

PG Shameem noted that charges may only be sought if there is substantial evidence to support the claims and that sufficient evidence is lacking to prosecute Fathih.

Charged in connection to the case so far are three of the suspects initially arrested in May, Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, 25, Mujaz Ahmed, 21, Thahumeen Ahmed, 32 and Ali Haisham, 27, native to Manadhoo island in Noonu atoll.

MPS on July 24 revealed that a total of 10 suspects have been arrested in connection to the IED blast so far and that one of them is one of the leaders behind the attack; Mohamed Thasleem, native to Hoarafushi island in Haa Alif atoll.

The remaining are Is’haq, Fahmy Ali, Mohamed Nazim and Abdulla Ali Manik.

Is’haq and Thasleem are accused of being two of the masterminds behind the attack and police investigations go on to indicate that Manik has a record of attempting to spread extremism among Maldivian societies. Further police found that Adhuham had attempted to erase evidence.

Shortly after the attack on May 6, authorities had announced plans to bring in foreign investigators to assist in the investigation. As such, a team from the Australian Federal Police is in the capital city to assist in the probe, as well as American experts.

Mujaz and Thahumeen were arrested two days after the bomb attack while Adhuham was apprehended on May 9. On May 19, Maldives Police Service arrested a fourth suspect identified as 23-year-old Fathih. Haisham was the fifth suspect arrested. He was seized from Manadhoo island in Noonu atoll on June 11.

Nasheed was targeted in an assassination attempt on May 6, as he was heading out to attend an event in an island. The attack, which saw a remote-controlled IED explode near his residence in the center of congested Malé City, caused serious injuries to the ex-president who was rushed to the hospital within seven minutes after being knocked to the ground by the blast, which was dubbed far more powerful than the explosion in Sultan Park, 2007.