Security forces have commenced an anti-terrorism operation in prisons, in relation to the May 6 attack against Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.
The operation in Maafushi Prison and Male' Prison began at 0500hrs on June 12. The operation is conducted jointly by Maldives Police Service (MPS), Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and Maldives Correctional Service (MCS). However, no details have been shared regarding the operation.
In response to claims that police officers used taser guns after violence broke out in the prison during the operation, MPS said no violence occurred during the operation and no taser gun was used on an inmate. MPS said all prison cells are being inspected as part of the operation.
Following the May 6 attack against Speaker Nasheed, security forces have been conducting anti-terrorism operations in different parts of the country. As such, several people have been arrested from Male' and Addu City during the operations, including one alleged to be directly involved in perpetrating the attack against the speaker. However, MPS has not disclosed any detail of the individual.
MPS has arrested four others directly in relation to the May 6 attack, including the individual who allegedly detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and the owner of the motorcycle to which the IED was attached.