Four suspects have been identified in connection to the explosion attack on Former President and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.
During a press briefing hosted on Friday afternoon, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed revealed that authorities are currently working to identify the persons of interest and consecutively arrest them.
Highlighting that the act of terror targeting the former president is being investigated as an “urgent” priority, CP Hameed said that all evidence indicates that this was a deliberate act of terror targeting Nasheed.
“There are four people of interest that the investigation is pursuing. The investigation team is working closely with the Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) in the investigation. The country’s security services including the Maldives National Defense Force and the Maldives Police Service are currently taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of citizens and are enhancing protective measures in the Malé region”Mohamed Hameed, Commissioner of Police.
During the press briefing the police commissioner highlighted that authorities did not receive any intelligence information related to the attack beforehand and that they would conduct an inquiry into intelligence failings within the police network.
Nasheed was rushed to the hospital due to injuries attained after an explosion went off near his residence on Neeloafaru Hingun, at around 8:36pm on Thursday. Police first responders attended the scene and immediately initiated investigative protocols two minutes into the blast.
ADK Hospital has since revealed that a final, critical, life-saving procedure was successfully concluded on Friday afternoon. Over the course of past 16 hours he had life-saving surgeries conducted on injuries to his head, chest, abdomen and limbs. The former president currently remains in a critical condition in intensive care.
