Malé, Maldives – Two individuals arrested in connection to an assault on three Police officers in Malé have been ordered to be held in remand until the end of their trials.
The order was given by Criminal Court on Saturday, after they were presented to the court to renew their remand duration.
Police have not revealed the identities of these two individuals, but it is known that among the assailants is an 18 year old male and while the other is a 20 year old male. Both are accused of gang violence using sharp objects.
The attack took place in Henveyru district of Malé, or Majeedhee Magu near Euro Store, on three off duty officers from the Drug Enforcement Department (DED).
Following the attack, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed took to twitter to reveal that the assailants belong to a known gang from Henveyru district of Malé and that the matter is being investigated as a serious case.
CP Hameed further added that two of the assailants had been arrested so far and that they were tracking the remaining assailants. Commissioner also reaffirmed that police will not back down on their efforts to tackle organized crime and drugs in the island nation.
In his tweet, CP Hameed highlighted that more support is needed for the force to protect their officers and serve the communities better. He also noted that there is a wider systems need to increase the holistic effort to tackle violent crime groups and trafficking of narcotic drugs in the country.
Gang violence in the Maldives is becoming increasingly commonplace and the nature of violence more brutal as new types of drugs and weapons are used. Yesterdays attack comes while Police and Maldives National Defence Force have been carrying out a joint exercise to counter gangs earlier this year.
