Parliament Committee Requests Gov’t Review of Assassination Attempt on Nasheed

The Parliament’s Security Services Committee, also known as the 241 Committee, has urged the government to re-examine the findings from its inquiry into the 2021 assassination attempt on former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed.

During a meeting, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, representing the Dhiggaru constituency and a member of the 241 Committee, highlighted significant issues uncovered by the confidential inquiry report. He emphasised the “lack of coordination” among security services in preventing the attack.

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Nazim noted that the National Counter-Terrorism Center reported to the committee that intelligence coordination between security services remains inadequate. He suggested that these issues should be brought to the attention of the current administration.

The committee’s chair, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, confirmed that a letter addressing these concerns has already been drafted and will be dispatched to the government later today. However, he did not disclose the contents of the letter.

The assassination attempt on Nasheed occurred on 6 May 2021, when a homemade remote-controlled IED targeted him as he exited his residence in Malé. Nasheed sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, while three members of his security detail and two bystanders suffered minor injuries.

The trials related to the May 6 attack have resulted in only two convictions to date. Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, from Hiyaa, V. Thinadhoo, confessed to detonating the IED and received a reduced sentence of 23 years in prison in 2021 after signing a plea deal with the prosecution. 

Another defendant, Abdulla Ali Manik, from Bahaaruge, HA. Molhadhoo, was sentenced to five years for supporting a terrorist organisation.