Ahmed Adhuham Rasheed has pleaded guilty to carrying out an IED attack against Speaker of the Parliament and former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.
A terror attack was carried out against Nasheed on May 6 by detonating an IED as he entered his vehicle near his residence in capital Male'. According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the IED was strapped to a motorcycle parked nearby, and was remotely detonated by Adhuham while standing in a alleyway of Athama Palace building. Nasheed sustained serious injuries in the attack and multiple critical surgeries were performed on him following the attack.
Adhuham had earlier confessed to the police that he was willing to sacrifice his life to successfully pull off the attack. The state raised four charges against him - carrying out an act of terrorism, conspiring to carry out an act of terrorism, supporting a terrorist organization and attempting to kill a person using sharp or dangerous weapons.
During the hearing held Tuesday at the Criminal Court, Adhuham pleaded guilty to all four charges. The hearing was then continued behind closed doors, as matters linked to national security were to be shared during the hearing.
Adhuham will face a sentence of over 40 years if convicted. However, Adhuham has signed a plea deal with the State which will reduce the sentence to 23 years.
Ahmed Adhuham Rasheed
