Parliament Speaker and former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed's family has said the state has failed to establish justice and uncover those who financed the terror attack against Nasheed in 2021.
A terror attack was carried out against Nasheed on May 6, 2021, by detonating an IED as he entered his vehicle near his residence in the capital, Male'. According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the IED was strapped to a motorcycle parked nearby. Nasheed sustained serious injuries in the attack, and multiple critical surgeries were performed on him. Following procedures in the Maldives, he received further treatment from Germany and the United Kingdom.
In a statement released by Nasheed's family on the anniversary of the attack, the family said that while a year has passed since the attack, the family is concerned that the trial of those involved in the attack has dragged on. It noted that although some suspects were arrested and charged, the state has failed to focus on the five 'fighters' hiding behind those who carried out the attack. The family said that the reason for the negligence was failing to investigate links within the case adequately.
The statement did not give details on the five 'fighters' mentioned.
The family thanked Nasheed's bodyguards, who were quick to transport him to a hospital following the attack. They further thanked the medical team that attended to Nasheed and acknowledged the support and prayers of the public.
Nasheed's family called on authorities to identify those who financed the attack by carrying out a thorough investigation. They noted that the failure to carry out such an investigation puts Nasheed and those in similar positions as him in danger. Failure to establish justice has created a dangerous environment in the society, they added.
Noting further that security arrangements have constricted Nasheed's activities, the family said this has caused Nasheed to pause his activities as a political leader. The statement noted that political communications and other interactions with family and friends are also affected due to the arrangements.
While Nasheed survived the attack with the Grace of God, the statement sympathized with the families of those who were not lucky enough to survive such attacks in the past. The statement said such families were in their thoughts.
