May 6 blast: Remand of 5 suspects extended

Court has granted extensions to the remand of five suspects arrested in connection to the IED attack outside the residence of Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed last May.

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 have made five 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; Ahmed Fathih, 23, Dhunfini Ufaa, L. Gan; and Ali Haisham, 27, Nooreege, N. Manadhoo.

A police spokesperson told Sun  on Wednesday that the court extended the remand of Adhuham, Mujaz and Thahmeen by 30 days on June 22, the remand of Fathih by 15 days on June 20, and the remand of Haisham by 15 days on June 27.

Police are investigating the case as a targeted terror attack to assassinate Nasheed.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih recently stated that eight suspects are under investigation for the attack, and that cases against four will be sent for prosecution soon.