Male’, Maldives – Maldives Police Service last night informed that all the 10 suspects arrested for being involved in the terror attack against Speaker Nasheed on May 06 have no direct links to the terrorist organization, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Speaking at the press conference, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Riyaz the investigation they have done so far does not indicate that the suspects have a direct link to ISIS.
The findings from our investigation do show that the suspects do follow the same ideologies maintained by ISIS – and even has actively taken part in spreading this ideology. They also wish to present themselves as people who aid ISIS
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Riyaz
Although Assistant Commissioner Riyaz mentioned that they had recovered items from suspects which indicate they follow the ideologies of ISIS, he said that they could not directly link those items to the organization as members. Hence, he stated that there are no solid grounds for the Police to believe that the suspects have a direct connection to ISIS or any other international groups or that the suspects were acting as a ‘cell’ of the organization, under their direction.
Last night, Police released the identification of 10 suspects that were arrested in connection to the case for the first time. They are:
- Ali Haisham, 27, Nooreege, N. Manadhoo
- Is’haq, M. Kudhehige, K. Male’
- Fahumy Ali, Hudhuruvaage, GA. Vilingili
- Mohamed Nazim, Asareege, AA. Maalhos
- Abdulla Ali Manik, Bahaaruge, HA. Molhadhoo
- Mohamed Thasleem, Alanaasige, HA. Hoarafushi
- Ahmed Adhuham Rasheed, 26, Hiyaa, GDh. Thinadhoo
- Mujaz Ahmed, 21, Ma. Feyruge, K. Male’
- Thahmeen Ahmed, 32, Folheyma, GA. Kondey
- Ahmed Fathih, 23, Dhunfini Ufaa, L. Gan.
Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed revealed that Mohamed Thasleem from Alanaasige in HA. Hoarafushi and Is’haq, M. Kudhehige, K. Male’, and Ali Haisham, 27, Nooreege, N. Manadhoo are suspected to have played a major role in persuading and communicating with the suspects that President Nasheed needed to be attacked and killed.
On July 22, the Court granted remand till sentencing for three accused individuals of the terror attack from Male’ city. They are Mujaz Ahmed, Thahumeen Ahmed and Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed while a fourth suspect, Ali Haisham was remanded for only 30 days.
