On third anniversary of Nasheed's assassination attempt, parliament Speaker calls for expedited trial
"The fact that years have passed without justice is a shame that describes the state of this country".
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Parliament Speaker Mohammed Aslam has called for speedy trial in the assassination attempt of former president Mohammed Nasheed, marking three years since the May 6 attack.
On May 6, 2021, an improvised explosive device was detonated in Male to assassinate Nasheed, the then Speaker of Parliament. Aslam addressed this opening Monday's parliament session.
"This is the three-year anniversary of the dangerous bombing of former Speaker of Parliament, President Mohammed Nasheed," Aslam said.
At the time, parliament held a special inquiry into the attack and made recommendations to agencies. Aslam on Monday called on the agencies to fully implement the recommendations.
“On behalf of the Parliament, I wish that the recommendations contained in the inquiry report prepared and made public by the Parliament will be fully implemented as soon as possible,” Aslam said.
"I also think it is an urgent need to expedite investigations and conclude trials in connection with the attack."
In addition, Aslam said it is important to eradicate extremism and religious violence from Maldives.
Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, who was arrested and charged with the attack, pleaded guilty under plea deal and was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Six others were charged in the case. Their trials are yet to conclude.
The inquiry report, passed by Parliament at the time, recommended a number of measures to be taken by the agencies. They include:
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Armed soldiers to monitor Nasheed's residence
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Enact a special law to eliminate conflicts in access to intelligence
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It also recommended that the government take all necessary measures to prevent a second such attack
Democrats worry about Nasheed still not getting justice
The Democrats which Nasheed founded, also issued a statement on Monday marking the three-year anniversary of the attack. The party has also expressed concern over the delay in the trial.
“This party is extremely concerned that he has not received justice in the case to date,” the statement said.
"The fact that years have passed without justice is a shame that describes the state of this country. And The Democrats see it as an act of "normalising" big issues by treating them as small things”.
The statement mentioned the injuries sustained by Nasheed and notes from the trial:
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Although he survived the bomb attack, he underwent a 16-hour surgery in a critical condition as the razor blades had invaded his body in numerous places
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So far, the trial of all but the one that confessed has been delayed
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Some of the detainees have been released, some have not been convicted, and no one behind the attack has been found to date
"This party is concerned and condemns that such a deadly terrorist attack has been allowed to be carried out, with prior planning, on a person holding an important position in the state [they are getting away with it]," the statement said.
"We repeatedly condemn the failure of the MNDF to ensure the protection required by the Constitution for President Mohammed Nasheed despite receiving intelligence information that there were three previous plots to assassinate him”.
