Two arrested in brutal attack on PG Shameem

The police have made two arrests in connection to the brutal attack on Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem.

Shameem had been out jogging on a street in Male’ City on Wednesday morning, when he was attacked with a weapon by two people on a motorbike.

He fractured his left arm in the attack.

In a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau said that the two suspects were arrested shortly before the news conference.

But he declined to disclose any details regarding the suspects, even the gender and age.

Shujau said the police had launched an immediate investigation following the attack, utilizing all its resources.

Pre-planned attack

He said that initial findings establish that the attack had been pre-planned, adding that the suspects had their faces covered and were heavily disguised.

“As I mentioned, we utilized all our resources and have now identified them and taken them into custody,” he said.

Possibility of more people involved

The police believe it likely there are more people behind the attack.

Head of Criminal Investigations, Chief Superintendent of Police Ahmed Nafiz said the belief is based on past experience with similar cases.

He said that the attack had come just after the security the police had been providing to Shameem due to a court case ended.

According to Shujau, Shameem was provided with security after a threat assessment run in connection to a court case flagged him as a possible high-risk target.

He said that the security coverage was dropped after the court case ended.

“But the police discontinued security to the PG after it ended. Therefore, this incident took place during such a time frame,” he said.

Shameem was treated for his injuries at the ADK Hospital before being released home to his family.

In a post on X, Shameem shared a picture of himself wearing a cast.

He thanked everyone for the love and well wishes.

“…will be back at work stronger and be back running, cycling and swimming even faster,” said Shameem, a well-known fitness enthusiast.

The Prosecutor General’s Office, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has strengthened Shameem’s security in the wake of the attack.

Both the ruling PPM-PNC coalition and the main opposition MDP issued statements condemning the attack, with the latter accusing top government officials of harboring close ties with criminal gangs and providing them with protection.

“This party believes that such fearless attacks on top state officials is a result of the close ties that top government officials have with criminal groups operating in the Maldives, and because of the protection the government provides these criminal groups,” said the party.

Meanwhile, the party’s interim leader, former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih suggested the attack was politically motivated.

But the remark was slammed by Home Minister Ali Ihusan, who said that claim suggests the former president has credible information about the motive and the people behind the attack.

“I would like to request former President to please share the credible information referred here with the Police immediately,” he said.

He added that the police were treating the case as a top priority, and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.