Nasheed’s bodyguard forgets pistol in ADK toilet

Tightened security measures in Malé City as Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed departs to Germany for treatment on May 13, 2021 following the assassination attempt on him by blowing an IED near his home on May 6, 2021 | Photo: Adhadhu

Malé, Maldives – Public outcry has risen in social media after news of a pistol being found in the ADK hospital toilet began circulating.

However, local news “Voice” reports from a reliable source that said pistol was forgotten in the hospital toilet by Nasheed’s a bodyguard from the Speaker’s MNDF Special Protection Unit.

A nurse found the pistol left behind by the bodyguard and brought it to the attention of relevant authorities.

The bodyguard responsible has now been suspended according to sources, since removing a firearm and misplacing it is a punishable offence.

Police did not answer a question by journalists regarding the firearm at today’s press conference.

An IED explosion went off around 20:20 on 6 May leaving Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed critically injured while he was getting in to his car near his house, G. Kenereege, Malé City. In addition to Nasheed, 3 more people were also been reported to be injured from the explosion including the Speaker’s bodyguards and bystanders.

Nasheed was brought to ADK Hospital with heavy bleeding, and both internal and external shrapnel injuries. Ball bearings were found in Nasheed’s chest, near the heart. Injuries caused by these projectiles caused life threatening damage to the chest area. Nasheed endured major injury to the fourth rib, with a blade going through a lung. A projectile also went through his intestine with another near his liver. 

Speaker Nasheed was treated at the Critical Care Unit of ADK hospital in Malé until yesterday and was airlifted to Germany yesterday for recovery and rehabilitation. Parliament had revealed yesterday that Speaker Nasheed’s medical expenses in Germany are being covered by Honorary Consul of the Maldives in Germany, Christian Von Stetten.