Security forces storm prisons in op. linked with May 6 blast

Security forces launched a special operation in prisons on early Saturday, which they confirm is related to the IED attack on Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed last May.

The joint operation by Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defense Force, and Maldives Correctional Service began at 05:30 am on Saturday.

Maldives Correctional Service confirms the operation is linked with the attack on Nasheed and the crackdown on extremism.

The operation is being conducted at Male’ Prison and Maafushi Prison.

A homemade remote-controlled IED was strapped to motorcycle parked nearby Nasheed’s residence, and was detonated at 08:27 pm on May 6, just as Nasheed, 54, exited his residence and went to get in his car. Nasheed was thrown to the ground and sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, while three members of his security detail and two bystanders sustained minor wounds.

He was rushed to ADK Hospital, where he underwent multiple lifesaving surgeries to remove ball bearings and other shrapnel, some of which perforated his internal organs.

Police are treating the case as a targeted terror attack to assassinate Nasheed, and have made four arrests in connection to the case: Ahmed Adhuham Rasheed, 26, Hiyaa, GDh. Thinadhoo; Mujaz Ahmed, 21, Ma. Feyruge, K. Male’; Thahmeen Ahmed, 32, Folheyma, GA. Kondey; and Ahmed Fathih, 23, Dhunfiniufaa, L. Gan. Adhuham is believed to be the man who detonated the IED.