Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has requested to extend his leave expressing hesitation to return to back to the Maldives while the investigation is ongoing. Speaker Nasheed is currently in the UK for treatment for the injuries he sustained from the May 6 terrorist attack.
In his letter sent to the Secretariat of the Parliament requesting to extend his leave, Nasheed noted the investigation into the attack is still ongoing, citing information he had received from Maldives Police Service (MPS). He said himself, his family and well-wishers hesitate his arrival to the Maldives unless the investigation is concluded and the people involved are brought to justice.
The speaker requested the parliament to approve his request to extend his leave, expressing confidence the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Abdulla will carry out the meetings and related tasks in accordance with the laws and guidelines, and with the recommendations from the parliamentarians. In the letter, the speaker also highlighted the letter was not the result of negativity towards any government authority or the state.
Further, Speaker Nasheed revealed he will attend and serve the parliament, specifically works related to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Climate Vulnerable Forum.
MPS has arrested a total of 10 suspects following the May 6 terrorist attack, which had severely injured Speaker Nasheed.
Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has raised charges against four suspects in the attack totalling 13 counts, which includes planning and attempting a terrorist act and the use of explosives. The cases against Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, Thahumeem Ahmed, Ali Haisham, and Mujaaz Ahmed have been submitted to the Criminal Court of the Maldives.
In an earlier press conference, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz said the investigation into the May 6 terrorist attack has not found any evidence that a group had funded the attack or assigned a reward for its successful execution.