Total of Seven Arrested For Gayoom Assassination Attempt

Police have arrested a total of seven people in connection with the attempted assassination of President Gayoom on 8 January, they announced at a press conference today.

They told reporters Mohamed Murushid, 20, has confessed to being the attacker and has said he intended to kill the President.Mohamed Hafiz, 18, has also confessed to being involved in the plot to kill Gayoom, according to police.

More ArrestsPolice arrested five people from Haa Alif Hoarafushi at the time of the attack, including Murushid and Hafiz.Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdullah Riyaz confirmed today that another two people had been arrested on the evening of 10 January.

Police did not name the two, but several sources have told Minivan News they are Ibrahim Adam and Ibrahim Amir, both teachers at the private Thauleemul Bayaan Koran school on the island.Until 11 January police had maintained Murushid was the only person detained in connection with the attack, but the new arrests bring the total to seven. more

Total of Seven Arrested For Gayoom Assassination Attempt

MDP Calls National Protest

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced a nationwide protest in response to the recent violence and arrests.“We have called the protest to highlight the continued police brutality, the most recent manifestation of which is in Addu, but it is continuing,” said Hamid Abdul Gafoor, Secretary General of the MDP. The demonstration has been scheduled for February 25, which was the same date as the opening of the People’s Majlis. But the President’s Office announced on Thursday that the ceremony for the opening of parliament will be brought forward to February 22. The MDP’s National Council will meet this evening to decide the final details for the protest, including whether to change the date. But Acting President of the party, Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, told Minivan News on Thursday that if the MDP brings forward the protest, the government will again change the date of the Majlis opening, so there is “no point” in altering the date. Some MDP supporters are worried that February 25, more than two weeks away, is too late for a protest, as it will give the authorities too much time to prepare, but it is thought the National Council will stick to the original date. more

MDP Calls National Protest