Former President Maumoon honored with special Victory Day commemorative shield

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been presented with a special commemorative shield on the occasion of Victory Day.

The shield was conferred in recognition of his leadership during the November 3, 1988, terrorist attack on the Maldives, during his presidency. The presentation took place at the Victory Day ceremony held at the Social Centre.

According to the President’s Office, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu decided to bestow upon Maumoon the Grand Order of the Distinguished Rule of Ghaazee (GODRG), a special honor marking his exemplary service to the nation during the armed aggression.

Victory Day is observed annually on November 3 to commemorate the failed coup attempt by a group of Maldivians and Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries. The attack claimed 19 Maldivian lives, including eight soldiers and 11 civilians.

The coup plotters attempted to flee aboard the Progress Light, a cargo ship docked in Male' harbor, but were intercepted and neutralized by Indian troops.

The main conspirators, Abdulla Luthfee (Haajaraage) and Sagar Ahmed Nasir, were captured and later sentenced to death by the High Court. However, then-President Maumoon exercised his constitutional authority to commute their sentences to life imprisonment.