4 remanded for 5 days over bridge highway crash that injured police officer

The Criminal Court has ordered the detention of four men for five days in connection with a motorcycle collision that injured a police officer on the bridge highway, amid allegations that the incident was intended to obstruct an ongoing police operation against dangerous driving.

The remand orders were issued on Saturday following the arrest of four suspects over the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday morning.

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed previously said police believed the collision was a deliberate act intended to intimidate officers and disrupt traffic enforcement operations.

Police on Sunday released the photographs and identities of two suspects who were allegedly riding the motorcycle that struck the officer.

They were identified as Abdulla Sammah Hassan Sodiq, 20, of Uddhadimaage, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, who is suspected of riding the motorcycle, and Ahmed Sinaz, 30, of Mala, K. Gaafaru, who is suspected of being the passenger.

Police said the photographs of the other two suspects had not been released because additional matters connected to the investigation were still being examined.

However, their identities were disclosed in separate remand orders issued by the Criminal Court.

They were identified as Anoof bin Mohamed, 21, of H. Filmeesight, and Ahmed Maaish Mohamed Maairu, 21, of Fenivaa, S. Hithadhoo.

According to the court orders, the two men were riding another motorcycle that was allegedly travelling at a dangerous speed on the bridge at the same time as the motorcycle involved in the collision.

All four suspects tested positive for drugs, according to information disclosed in connection with the case.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the Criminal Court ordered an initial detention period of five days to allow the suspects to arrange legal representation and proceed with the case with the assistance of lawyers.

The incident occurred while police were conducting an operation targeting dangerous driving on the bridge highway.

According to an earlier statement by the police commissioner, a motorcycle travelling at more than 100 kilometres per hour struck a police barricade before colliding with an officer stationed at a vehicle checkpoint.

The officer sustained serious injuries, including facial wounds and broken teeth, and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

Police have alleged that the collision was intended to undermine the ongoing enforcement operation and intimidate officers responsible for maintaining road safety.

The allegations against the four suspects remain under investigation.