Nasheed finds no reason for team to be sent for his statement, as charges are not against him

Former president of the Maldives, and current Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed has stated he sees no reason for Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem and a team of police officers to travel to the United Kingdom to procure his statement, as the charges being raised in the case of the May 6 terrorist attack are not against him.

In a tweet posted on Saturday, Nasheed stated that despite there being no clear reason for them to travel to UK for his statement, he believes that Maldives Police Service (MPS) discussing the matter with authorities of UK would prove useful.

While Speaker Nasheed has agreed to deliver a statement regarding the IED attack aimed for his assassination, he has requested for the statement to be taken before the preliminary hearings conclude.

In addition to a letter sent by Nasheed, to PG Shameem about his decision to make the statement, Nasheed's lawyer Nazim Sattar had also stated that his client was prepared to give the statement.

RaajjeMV understands that a team from MPS along with the PG will travel to the UK to acquire Nasheed’s statement. Due to Covid-19 related restrictions, however, a date has not yet been finalized as Maldives is still on UK's red list despite expecting to move to amber last month, meaning almost all travel from the country to UK is banned.

While PG had previously emphasized the importance of Speaker Nasheed’s statement, MPS has also affirmed the same. Due to the need for a statement on his side, Nasheed appointed his younger brother Nazim as his attorney on August 5th.

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.

Presently, the individuals being charged in the May 6 assassination attempt targeting Nasheed, are Mujaz Ahmed, Thahmeen Ahmed, Ali Haisham and Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed. Adhuham, who has signed a plea deal with the state for a reduced 23-year sentence, was identified as the man who detonated the IED on May 6.

While 12 charges have been raised against the four, PG Office decided against raising charges against a fifth suspect Ahmed Fathih "for now". Investigations into five other suspects are ongoing.

Nasheed remains hesitant to return to the Maldives amid the bomb attack probe, and is currently on extended leave from the People's Majlis.

Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla is presiding over parliamentary sittings in his absence.

He is currently in the United Kingdom (UK), having traveled there from Germany for further treatment for the injuries he faced in the attack.