Maldives Police Service (MPS) has arrested the primary suspect of the terrorist attack against Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on May 6.
The suspect was arrested in Hulhumale' within 15 hours after MPS revealed footage near the scene of the incident which shows the activity of the primary suspect of the attack, who allegedly detonated the bomb. The suspect was later revealed as 25-year-old Ahmed Adhuham Rasheed.
Meanwhile, MPS had earlier arrested 21-year-old Mujaz Ahmed and 32-year-old Thahumeen Ahmed in relation to the attack. Thahumeen was the owner of the vehicle on which the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was attached. Meanwhile, Mujaz was an accomplice to Adhuham in carrying out the attack.
MPS noted the motorcycle on which the explosive device was attached had a fake number plate, and attempts had been made to scratch off its registration number. However, MPS said the police had managed to extract the registration information and arrest the owner of the vehicle.
MPS further revealed the first two suspects arrested in relation to the attack had previous records with the police, involving theft and drugs. MPS added all three suspects had links with religious extremism, although there is no evidence yet to indicate any direct links with terrorist organisations.
The attack took place near the residence of Speaker Nasheed in Male' on May 6, wounding the speaker, members of his security detail and several bystanders. ADK Hospital stated Nasheed has suffered serious, life-threatening injuries in the attack and has been placed in intensive care in critical condition following multiple life-saving surgeries.