Malé, Maldives —The Leader of the investigation team on extremists over the attack on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed on May 6th, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Riyaz and several other officers of the team has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.
Sources reveal that two days ago, Riyaz was in isolation at Police HQ as he had tested positive for Covid-19. Along with Riyaz, several other members who leaded the investigation team including investigation officers and forensic team members have been infected by the virus as well.
Police revealed that although team members and alleged extremists who were arrested has Covid-19, the investigation will not stop and will still be carried out until further notice.
The investigation carried out regarding the bomb attack on Speaker Nasheed involves of a total of 450 police officers who are working in different ways, so even if an officer from the team tests positive for Covid-19, they will be immediately isolated and replaced by another police officer to not hinder the investigation.
While the Maldives Police Service has so far arrested multiple suspected extremists from the Capital Malé city and the atolls of Maldives, some of these individuals were already infected with the Covid-19 virus when they were arrested by the Police officers.
Although Police has not yet made an statements regarding the matter, a trustable source informed that it is very difficult now for the officers to separate and question the perpetrators as some of the extremists are positive for Covid-19.
After the May 6 terror attack, the police said that there would be a crack down on terrorists and terrorism supporters, including those posting such content on social media and supporting terrorism on media comment sections as well.
The 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 him, 3 more people were also been reported to be injured from the explosion including the Speaker’s bodyguards and bystanders.
Nasheed was brought in 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 is being covered by Honorary Consul of Maldives in Germany, Christian Von Stetten.
