8 charged over airport dollar robbery

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Maldives has filed charges at the Criminal Court of Maldives against eight individuals over a robbery involving more than USD 100,000 at Velana International Airport.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the robbery took place on 27 October at about 4:15 am.

Two employees of Bank of Maldives were standing near Gate 1 of Terminal 1 preparing to transport a briefcase to the bank’s currency exchange counter in the new terminal when they were confronted and robbed.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said the case was submitted to court on the 8th and 26th of last month.

Ahmed Mahid of Aheevaage, Th. Vilufushi, has been charged with robbery, criminal intimidation using a sharp object and possession of a sharp object in a public place without a valid reason.

Ali Afzal of Vashagulimaage, S. Hithadhoo, has been charged with robbery and accessory to criminal intimidation using a sharp object.

Abdul Avval Ibrahim Aboobakuru of Binaa, GA. Villingili, has been charged with accessory to robbery.

Five other individuals have also been charged with accessory to robbery. They are:

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the briefcase contained several currencies. The amounts included:

The Prosecutor General’s Office has asked the court to order the defendants to compensate the Bank of Maldives for the financial loss resulting from the robbery.