Will proceed with intelligence audit for national security forces: President

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that his administration will proceed with an intelligence audit for national security forces following an assassination attempt against former president and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.

President Solih made the remarks after having visited and spoken to former president Mohamed Nasheed at ADK Hospital on Sunday. President Solih stated that a review of security forces was already underway, and that a detailed report would be presented to him on Sunday regarding the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)'s handling of Speaker Nasheed's security.

In addition to this, President Solih revealed that he had met with the National Security Council on Saturday evening, and that they would be proceeding with an intelligence audit of MNDF and the Maldives Police Service. The President revealed that the audit would reveal flaws in the intelligence framework, and would clarify why there had been no explicit reports of a threat to Speaker Nasheed's life despite the imminent attack.

President Solih went on to state that based on their present assessment, it was clear that intelligence frameworks would need to be strengthened, in addition to increasing security for high-risk targets as well. President Solih revealed that a number of changes would be brought based on the findings of the security and intelligence audit reports.

In highlighting the investigation into this case, President Solih stated that efforts were progressing quickly. He revealed that while three people had been arrested for attempting to assassinate former president Nasheed, a man authorities believe to be the prime suspect was also arrested on Sunday. President Solih said he believed that investigations in this case would conclude soon, so that it could be forwarded to the Prosecutor General's Office.

President Solih went on to say that it was likely there were a number of malicious actors behind orchestrating the attack, and that the state's investigation into the matter was very broad.

All three suspects arrested in relation to the attempt made on former president Mohamed Nasheed's life have denied charges of terrorism raised against them at court.

Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, Hiyaa, from Thinadhoo island of Vaavu atoll, Mujaz Ahmed, MA. Feyruge, K. Male' and Thahumeen Ahmed Folheymaa, GA. Kondey, plead not guilty to charges of terrorism.

Thahumeen Ahmed had also denied being the owner of the motorbike to which the explosive to target Speaker Nasheed had been attached. However, records submitted to court by the Maldives Police Service state Thahumeen Ahmed as the registered owner of the motorbike.

Judge Adam Mohamed had concluded that there was enough evidence to convict the three suspects in this case, as all three of them had prior criminal records. The three suspects have been remanded by 15 days as the investigation into the assassination attempt against former president Mohamed Nasheed is currently ongoing.