The Democrats have called to expedite the investigation and deliver justice as today marks four years since the assassination attempt on former President Mohamed Nasheed.
At around 8:27pm on May 6, 2021, a bomb attack was made against Nasheed as he walked out of G. Kenereege to his car, accompanied by his bodyguards. With today marking four years since the attack, The Democrats, of which Nasheed was a founder, has raised concerns that justice is yet to be served in the case.
Although Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon said in parliament in March last year that new information regarding the incident had been received, no further actions have been seen to be taken by any State institutions to date, The Democrats said.
"We believe the gravity of this incident has been taken away despite it being a premeditated terrorist attack. Despite terrorism being the most serious crime even amongst violent crimes, and there being special legal procedures to follow in such case," The Democrats' statement reads.
The inquiry report into the incident highlighted that assassination attempts against Nasheed had been made in three prior instances, even before the May 6 attack. The Democrats noted that the attack on Nasheed had been carried out while he was entitled to full security detail as he was serving in the position of Speaker of Parliament at the time.
They noted that only one individual who confessed to the crime has been convicted, while no others have been convicted to date. Further, the investigation has been unable to find out who was behind the attack, they said.
To date, only one individual has been sentenced in relation to this case: Ahmed Adhuham, who actively participated in the bomb attack. He has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Trials of others accused are currently ongoing at the Criminal Court. In the hearing held on April 19 last year, Judge Sofwath Habeeb said that a schedule of hearings had been compiled and shared with both the defence and prosecution. As per this schedule, the trial will end by August 31, the Judge said.
A fair investigation into the attack on Nasheed is also a presidential pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. At the time, the President said that he would deliver the justice that opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's administration had failed to provide.
Nasheed suffered serious injuries in the attack, having to undergo a major 16 hour surgery.
Those charged in the case are Adhuham, Mujaz Ahmed, Ma. Feyruge, Thahmeen Mohamed, Folheymaa, GA. Kon'dey, Ali Haisham, Nooreege, N. Manadhoo, Fahmy Ali, Hudhuruvaage, GA. Vilin'gili, Ishaq, M. Kudhehige and Mohamed Nazim, Asareege, AA. Maalhos.
