Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed who took part in the terrorist attack aimed at Speaker and President Mohamed Nasheed on May 6th has signed a plea deal with authorities.
Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem, stated in the press conference held on Tuesday afternoon, that the plea deal was signed on 2nd August. The PG office came to an agreement with Adhuham after negotiating for three days. According to the plea deal, Adhuham admitted to have been involved in the planning of a terrorist attack and being a part of the crimes performed by a community called the ‘Islamic State’. Shameem informed that he would be facing a total of 23 years in prison if proven guilty, under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2015 and that further discussions on the matter will commence at court.
The plea deal was reached under the Criminal Procedure Act.
The next to be prosecuted in relation to the terror attack is Mujaz Ahmed. He is being charged for a total of two crimes. If found guilty he would be facing 17-20 years for planning a terrorist attack and 9 months and 18 days for hiding after committing a crime.
If Thahmeen Ahmed is proven to be guilty of the four charges against him, he would have to serve a total of 49 years in prison. This includes 17 years for the first charge, 17 for the second charge, three years for the third charge and 12 years for the fourth charge.
Ali Haisham is being charged for planning a terrorist attack, being a part of a terrorist attack and being involved in moving explosives and is to serve 46 years if charges against him are found to be true. This includes 17 years for being part of the attack, 17 for aiding the attack and 12 years for moving the explosive.
Detailing the charges against the four, PG Shameem noted that Adhuham faces four charges; being involved in an act of terrorism, planning one, supporting a terrorist organization as well as attempting to kill another with a weapon. Mujaz faces two charges; planning an act of terrorism and aiding someone who has committed a crime, to hide.
Further, Thahumeen faces four charges as well; transporting an explosive, supporting a terrorist organization, partaking in an act of terrorism and planning one.
Haisham is charged with planning an act of terrorism, transporting explosives and taking part in the act.
PG Shameem affirmed that he was confident that evidence against those being prosecuted will be found. He also noted that if any of the other suspects being charged decide on opting for a plea deal, they will reach an agreement and proceed as they did with Adhuham.
The PG noted that this is a practice they intend to expand over the years to come.
He also confirmed that five more people were being investigated in relation to the terrorist attack on May 6th and will be prosecuted in either September or October.
Furthermore, Shameem affirmed that the Australian Federal Police have analyzed how the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded and more information regarding the matter would be shared at the court hearing. He then stated that the police along with prosecutors of the PG office are now investigating the matter of who financed the attack as a separate matter.
