Maldives: 3rd suspect held in Nasheed attack

Maldivian police on Sunday arrested a third suspect in the attempted assassination of former president Mohamed Nasheed, officials said as a manhunt continued for others who may have been involved.

The 53-year-old democracy pioneer and climate activist was seriously hurt after a bomb attack in the capital Male on Thursday night that also injured a British national and two others.

Police have blamed the attack on “religious extremists” while doctors noted that the explosive device had been packed with ball bearings to cause maximum damage.

“We can confirm that a third individual has been arrested in connection with the May 6 attack early today,” police said.

They identified him as Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, 25, from the islet of Thinadoo in the Vaavu atoll, about 75km south of Male.

He was arrested at dawn on Sunday after police scoured CCTV footage on the archipelago’s capital island.

Official sources said they believed Rasheed may have detonated the explosive device using a remote control.

Police also released CCTV footage showing him waiting at a narrow alley as Nasheed and his bodyguards walked by to a waiting car. The bomb, rigged to a parked motorcycle, was detonated as Nasheed was about to get into the vehicle.

The other two suspects in custody were Mujaz Ahmed, 21, and Thahmeen Ahmed, 32, who were both arrested on Saturday.