CP Hameed: We continue to draw inspiration, courage from Nov. 3

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed (MC Hameed) says the foiled coup attempt of November 3, 1988 continued to be a source of inspiration and courage to the nation's security services, 31 years on.

The successful defeat of the coup attempt of 1988 is marked in Maldives as Victory Day.

Hameed issued a short message via his Twitter account to convey greetings on the occasion of the 31st Victory Day this Sunday.

He prayed for the soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the nation on November 3, 1988 to be granted eternal paradise, and for eternal blessings to their families.

“We continue to draw inspiration and courage from that day,” said Hameed.

The coup attempt of 1988 to overthrow then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration marked one of the bloodiest days in Maldivian history. The coup was staged by Abdulla Luthfee and Sagar Ahmed Nasir – who hired armed mercenaries from the Tamil secessionist organization, People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE).

The ensuing bloodbath cost the lives of 19 Maldivian citizens; 11 civilians and eight soldiers.

Sagar Ibrahim Nasir is currently free after having completed serving his sentence, along with several others involved in the plot.

Meanwhile, Abdulla Luthfee – considered to be the mastermind behind the plot - went on the run after he was granted medical furlough to travel to Sri Lanka on January 16, 2010. He continued to live in hiding in Sri Lanka for nearly a decade before he surrendered to Maldivian embassy officials in Colombo on May 1 amid security sweeps in the country following the Easter bombings.

He was extradited to Maldives on July 9.

The police have requested the Prosecutor General’s Office for charges against Luthfee for evading the authorities.