Witnesses: Pen drive with ISIS propaganda belonged to Nazim

Two witnesses told the Criminal Court on Monday that the pen drive from which the police found ISIS propaganda documents belonged to Mohamed Nazim, Asareege, AA. Maalhos, who was arrested in a crackdown on violent extremism in the wake of the terror attack on Parliament speaker, former president Mohamed Nasheed.

The assassination attempt on Nasheed using a homemade remote-controlled IED took place on May 6, 2021. Nasheed sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, while three members of his security detail and two bystanders sustained minor wounds.

The attack prompted the police to launch a crackdown on violent extremism. Nazim was arrested from his residence in the operation.

In a search of Nazim’s residence following his arrest, the police found a pen drive inside a bag, which contained documents that appeared to show his support for the terror organization ISIS.

 Nazim was charged with possession of a document, drawing or photo indicating support for a terrorist organization.

However, his lawyer said Nazim had nothing to do with the documents.

At a hearing Monday, the court heard testimony from two of the arresting police officers.

They told the court that the pen drive was found in Nazim’s bedroom, and that he admitted that it belonged to him when questioned at the time.

Both police officers worked for the Serious and Organized Crime Department at the time.

The police officers also testified to finding a mobile phone from the bedroom, which they said that Nazim admitted belonged to him.

During cross examination, Nazim’s lawyer questioned why the police searched only one room, when they had a warrant to search the whole apartment.

The witnesses responded that Nazim had been staying in the apartment on a trip to Male’, and the intel the police had did not suggest he had his belonging in any other room.

Two more men have been charged in connection to the case; Hassan Yaseen, Dhafthar 6231, and Mohamed Zoomal Zareer, Hulhumale' 56-3-07.