The report prepared by the Presidential Commission Investigating Deaths and Enforced Disappearances on the death of former MP Dr. Afrasheem Ali has revealed that former Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim gave a statement to the commission which accused former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor of attempting to install a bomb on a vehicle used by former president of the Maldives and current Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.
While the government on Sunday publicized the report on Dr. Afrasheem's murder, it revealed the statement given by the former MP to the commission during investigation.
In his statement, Nazim had revealed that VP Adeeb, and son-in law of former MP Moosa Manik, Abdulla Javid had discussed ways to obstruct the former president from running in the 2013 presidential election. While they planned to disqualify Nasheed's candidacy, Adeeb had on several occasions spoken on obstructing Nasheed from running for presidency, Nazim's statement read.
Nazim said Adeeb went as far as to suggest bombing Nasheed, and discussed installing a bomb on Nasheed's vehicle. When he became aware of Adeeb's plans, then Defence Minister Colonel Mohamed Nazim shared the information with the police, said Nazim. He further said President Nasheed himself was warned of impending danger, said Nazim.
The former MP said the conversations had taken place post Dr. Afrasheem's murder in October 2012. However, he was making note of the conversations to the investigative committee as Adeeb was set on preventing Nasheed from running for presidency at any cost. Nazim said he believed it was possible that Adeeb could have orchestrated Dr. Afrasheem's murder, and planned to frame President Nasheed for the crime. Adeeb has discussed such elaborate plans with former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom in the past, said Nazim.
Adeeb was previously convicted for orchestrating an explosion on presidential speed boat Finifenmaa in 2015 in an attempt to assasinate then president Yameen. However, the verdict sentencing Adeeb was later overturned.
The state had also charged Adeeb on allegations that he had attempted to set off bombs during a rally held by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Adhaalath Party in 2015. Several secret witnesses had testified against Adeeb on the matter.
Meanwhile, Adeeb's family has released a statement denying Nazim's allegations, and said Adeeb has never tried to harm Nasheed.
