Nasheed expresses complete confidence in Police; seeks compensation for injuries

Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed seen at ADK Hospital for the first time since the assassination attempt on him by blowing an IED near his home on May 6, 2021 | Photo: Social Media

United Kingdom – The Speaker of the Maldives Parliament and former President Mohamed Nasheed, today, said that he had complete confidence in the Maldives Police Service to investigate the terror attack targeted against him.

Speaking during his first press conference since the May 6 Terror Attack where the Speaker was critically injured, Nasheed also stated that he wished to seek compensation for his injuries and damages incurred.

Nasheed expressed full confidence in the Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed and the police force to find who financed the May 6 attack.

The Speaker said that while he had no doubts that the Prosecutor General’s Office and Police will assist in seeking compensation, he said that his lawyers are better equipped on the procedural matters.

While the full compensation for a murder attack according to the Supreme Court is MVR 1 million, it is not a common practice in the Maldives to seek full compensation for damages to the body. However, it is within a presiding judge’s authority to provide full compensation.

Nasheed suffered extensive injuries including long-term damage to his right hand, with damages to three fingers.

The IED explosion went off around 20:20 on 6 May leaving Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed critically injured while he was getting into 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 taken to ADK Hospital with heavy bleeding, and both internal and external shrapnel injuries. Ball bearings were found in Nasheed’s chest, near his heart. The Speaker had to undergo a 16-hour long surgery to remove shrapnel from his liver, lungs and abdomen.

Speaker Nasheed was treated at the Critical Care Unit of ADK hospital in Malé and was initially airlifted to Germany yesterday for recovery and rehabilitation. Presently, the Speaker of the Maldives Parliament is recovering in the United Kingdom.