May 6 blast: Court orders release of 3 suspects

Criminal Court has ordered the release of three suspects arrested in connection to the IED attack outside the residence of Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed in 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 released the identities of five suspects arrested 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.

They have also investigating four more suspects in connection to the case.

Prosecutor General’s Office spokesperson, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu told Sun that Criminal Court judge Hassan Saeed ordered the release of three of the suspects this Wednesday.

Shafeeu said the Prosecutor General’s Office will appeal the decision with the High Court, as the Criminal Court released the suspects despite evidence that they committed major felonies.

 The identities of the three suspects released have yet to be disclosed.

Police are investigating the case as a targeted terror attack to assassinate Nasheed. The investigation is being carried out with technical support from foreign investigative agencies.