BREAKING: May terror attack prime suspect Adhuham sentenced to 23 years in prison

Prime suspect arrested by Police over the terror attack against Former President and Current Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on May 6, 2021 | Photo: Social Media

Malé, Maldives – Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed responsible for detonating IED that critically injured the Speaker of Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed and bystanders has been convicted to 23 years in prison.

Adhuham plead guilty to all charges refusing to take back the guilty plea when given the opportunity in court and asked for forgiveness from the Speaker.

May 6 attack is a crime committed by me. Some religious beliefs motivated me to commit the act. I apologize to President Nasheed, others injured and the Maldivian citizens.

Ahmed Adhuham, May 6 attack perpetrator

Adhuham also stated that he will never repeat such an act.

While Adhuham’s plea deal and the judges verdict impose a 23 year prison sentence, taking into account the remand custody period, the terror convict has to serve 22 years, 4 months and 21 days in detention.

Four charges were against Adhuham including getting involved in an act of terrorism, planning an act of terrorism, supporting a terror association and that of attempted assassination using a dangerous weapon.

The IED explosion went off around 2020hrs on May 6, leaving Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed critically injured while he was getting into a car near his residence Kenereege in Galolhu Malé City. In addition to the Speaker, three more people were injured from the explosion including the Speaker’s bodyguards and bystanders.