Two suspects arrested in attack on ex-Maldives president Nasheed
Male, May 8 (EFE).- Maldives police Saturday arrested two suspects for their possible role in an explosion that wounded former president Mohamed Nasheed who is recuperating in a Male hospital.
“Two individuals have been arrested in connection (with the) May 6 terror attack,” Maldives Police tweeted.
Nasheed, 53, currently the parliament speaker, was critically wounded in the IED blast on Thursday afternoon.
The former president underwent multiple surgeries at a private hospital in the capital.
He is in stable condition and recovering, family members said.
The blast also wounded three of his bodyguards and two civilians, including a British citizen.
Maldives National Defense Force told reporters Friday that the initial probe had revealed that the explosive was detonated remotely.
The perpetrators had used metal balls for maximum damage.
Police said the explosion was an act of terror and that four unidentified persons were near the blast site who may have a role to play.
Police have also got the details of the motorcycle used in the explosion.
“Evidence indicates that this was an act of terror targeted at Mohamed Nasheed. There are four people of interest that the investigation is pursuing,” police commissioner Mohamed Hameed told reporters here.
Hameed said the police had no intelligence input before the attack.
Security forces have stepped up security measures in the capital Male, with soldiers at households of some lawmakers and utilities. EFE
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