Speaker Nasheed hesitant to return to Maldives until bomb attack probe concludes

Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed is seeking a leave extension from the People's Majlis.

While the first sitting of the third and final session of the year commenced on Monday, Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla -who is presiding over the sittings during Nasheed's absence- readout the speaker's letter at the sitting.

In the letter, Nasheed noted that his family and well-wishers do not wish for him to return home until the investigation into the his assassination attempt concludes and all culprits are brought to justice. The former president added that he himself is hesitant to do so.

He further expressed confidence that the parliament work will proceed without a hitch and as per Maldivian laws and parliamentary regulations, under the deputy speaker's leadership.

Nasheed added that he will continue to extend the required support to Majlis and the government despite being overseas, especially work being done through Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as well as with the Climate Vulnerable Forum.

While the former president had earlier revealed plans to return to Maldives in September, a number of his supporters and party members have asked him to not make a decision on return until the investigations into the May 6 attack concludes.

Nasheed was the target of an IED attack in Maldives' congested capital on May 6. He sustained near-fatal injuries in the blast, and underwent 16 hours of "life-saving" surgery at ADK Hospital. He is currently in the United Kingdom (UK), having traveled there from Germany for further treatment for the injuries he faced in the attack. 

While police have made 10 arrests in relation to the attack, PG Office has raised charges against four of the suspects. They are Mujaz Ahmed, Thahmeen Ahmed, Ali Haisham and Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed who has signed a plea deal with the state for a reduced 23-year sentence; Adhuham was identified as the man who detonated the IED on May 6.

12 charges have been raised against the four, while the PG Office decided against raising charges against a fifth suspect Ismail Fathih "for now"; Fathih has since been released from custody.

While police have also said that they have yet to identify any financial motives behind the attack, the government's Special Envoy to monitor the investigation, prosecution and trial of the terrorist attack, Abbas Faiz recently revealed that the "second part" of the probe will focus on "links and finances".

The investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Australian Federal Police and American experts.