Charges have been pressed against a man who was arrested for torching the motorcycle of a police officer stationed in Miladhoo island of Noonu atoll.

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) filed charges against Abdulla Shuhad Ahmed, native to Miladhoo island in connection with the case.

According to the PGO, Shuhad is charged with destruction of state property, under the relevant sections of Maldives Penal Code. He is accused of torching the officer’s motorcycle, which was parked in the yard of Maagasdhoshuge in Miladhoo island. The arson attack took place on February 18.

The PGO has since filed the charges against Shuhad, at the Miladhoo Magistrate Court.

Although other suspects were arrested in connection with the arson attack, they were release citing insufficient evidence.

Police revealed that the police officer – whose motorcycle was torched – was threatened by an individual who was caught smuggling and trafficking drugs in the island, and the feud is believed to have led to the torching .

The torched motorcycle in question, has been damaged beyond use, as seen in a video footage circulating on social media, showing the vehicle being set ablaze by a masked individual, after another masked individual earlier doused the vehicle with petrol.

A senior investigator was sent to the island to carry out investigations in connection with the arson attack.