The Parliament of the Maldives has expressed concern over the delays in completing the trials of the individuals suspected of planning and carrying out the terrorist attack against Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on May 6, 2021.
In a statement released on the one-year anniversary of the attack, the parliament said the attack compromised the peace and security of the whole nation. Moreover, the parliament noted the attack undermined the rule of law and democracy established in the nation, and could have a lasting impact on the economy and reputation of the country. Therefore, the parliament stated it is vital that those responsible for this deadly attack are brought to justice, in order to ensure there is no repeat of such an attack in future.
The parliament also noted only one of the nine suspects charged over the attack has received a sentence during the one year that has passed since the crime. The parliament reiterated the importance of speeding up the trial of the suspects and bringing them to justice, noting delays in delivering justice in this case also narrows the rights of Speaker Nasheed to live freely and fulfill his duties without fear.
Speaker Nasheed was severely injured after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attached to a motorcycle was triggered while he was getting in his car on the night of May 6 last year. The attack left Nasheed with serious injuries, requiring surgeries at ADK Hospital in Male’ and additional medical treatment in Germany and the UK.
