Charges filed against eight suspects in BML robbery at VIA
Charges have been filed at the Criminal Court against eight individuals involved in an armed robbery at Velana International Airport, where Bank of Maldives staff were threatened at knife-point and a significant amount of cash was stolen. The Prosecutor General’s Office is seeking the recovery of the stolen funds, which included various foreign currencies, while the defendants face multiple charges including robbery, criminal intimidation, and possession of a sharp object or weapon.
Velana International Airport
The Prosecutor General's Office has filed charges in the Criminal Court against eight individuals in connection with an armed robbery at Velana International Airport, where Bank of Maldives employees were threatened at knifepoint and a significant sum of money was stolen.
Charges in this case were filed on February 8, 2026, and February 26, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 4:15 a.m. on October 27, 2025.
According to the charges, the incident occurred while the funds were being transported to the Bank of Maldives foreign exchange counter located at Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport. The prosecution alleges that two bank employees were standing in front of Gate 1 of the airport's new terminal with a suitcase containing a large sum of cash when they were confronted. The suspects reportedly threatened the employees with a knife before fleeing with the suitcase.
The stolen funds included €4,900, £1,735, S$2,610, A$1,345, 510 Swiss Francs, C$1,515, 334,000 Japanese Yen, HK$10,420, and US$106,120. Additionally, the haul contained MVR 23,778, 25,000 Indian Rupees, and 600 Chinese Yuan.
The individuals charged in this case are Ahmed Mahid (Eheevaage, Th. Vilufushi), Ali Afzal (Vashagulimaage, S. Hithadhoo), Abdul Avval Ibrahim Aboobakuru (Bina, Ga. Villingili), Hussain Shahud (Alhivilaage, K. Guraidhoo), Maazin Moosa (Resham, L. Maavah), Ahmed Raihan Naeem (M. Koras), Ibrahim Anoof (Alhivilaage, K. Guraidhoo), and Ismail Sirhan (Meezan, R. Maduvvari).
Ahmed Mahid has been charged under the Maldives Penal Code with robbery, criminal intimidation using a sharp object, and possession of a sharp object in a public place without a valid reason.
Ali Afzal has been charged with robbery and aiding in the intimidation of an individual using a sharp-edged weapon.
Abdul Avval Ibrahim Aboobakuru, Hussain Shahudhu, Maazin Moosa, Ahmed Raihan Naeem, Ibrahim Anoof, and Ismail Sirhan have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has requested the court to order the defendants to compensate the Bank of Maldives for the losses incurred as a result of their actions.
