Additional arrest in Hulhumale’ gang attack

The police have made an additional arrest in connection to a gang attack on a young man in Hulhumale’ earlier this month.

Ahmed Nazeef, 26, was attacked by a gang in Hulhumale’ Phase I on July 8.

In a post on X, the chief police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan said the authorities arrested a 23-year-old Maldivian male in connection to the case at 12:04 am on Wednesday.

މި ތަޙްގީގާއި ގުޅިގެން އިތުރު މީހެއް؛ 23 އަހަރުގެ ފިރިހެނެއް، ރޭގެ 00:04 ގައި ފުލުހުންގެ ބެލުމުގެދަށަަށްވަނީ ގެނެވިފައި.

— Ahmed Shifan (@Shifan4040) July 24, 2024

It marks the second arrest in connection to the case.

The first arrest was that of a 22-year-old Maldivian male, made on July 18. He was remanded in custody of the police pending the outcome of his trial.

The attack garnered public attention following a post made on the social media platform X. According to the post, which included pictures of the injuries sustained by Nazeef, the attack was perpetrated by a criminal gang.

The pictures showed Nazeef sustained massive injuries to the back of his head, as well as additional injuries to his face.

The police have disclosed little detail regarding the case.

In a TV interview on July 8, Superintendent of Police Arif said there are currently eight criminal gangs highly active in the Maldivian capital, with most of the members aged 12-13 years.

Earlier this month, the police created gang crime enforcement unit – a dedicated unit to fight gang crime – as part of a new strategic action plan for the next for years.

Last month, Home Minister Ali Ihusan said that plan identifies 10 key priority areas for crime-focused policing.

He said that the biggest priority is to root out organized crime.

“Our goal isn’t reduced the 10 gangs operating in Maldives to three by the end of five years. Our goal is to erase all 10 gangs,” he said.

Ihusan said the administration will maintain a policy of “zero tolerance” and “non-acceptance.”

He also said the authorities have identified some 400 juveniles across the country with links to criminal gangs, who require immediate intervention.