Mohamed Hussain Shareef: Arrested MNDF officers had discretion to board speedboat as part of job duties

Minister at the President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef has said that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers who were arrested in relation to the explosion on the presidential speedboat Finifenmaa on 28 September 2015, had the discretion to board the vessel as part of their job duties.

When asked about his recent interview to international media, Mohamed Hussain Shareef said, “For example, you, a minister, or I myself - would not be allowed to go on-board the speedboat dedicated for the president. But the people who were arrested in relation to this incident had the full discretion in their official capacity, to board the speedboat.”

He further said that evidence gathered and revealed by international investigation teams show that the explosion was premeditated and meant to assassinate the president. He noted that the Sri Lankan investigation team working on the case had shared some information with the media.

The Sri Lankan team said yesterday that the blast was pre-planned.

Mohamed Hussain Shareef added that the investigation the teams involved in the investigation will each share their part of the report with the Maldivian government.

Three arrests were made yesterday in relation to the incident. One of them has been named as Mohamed Jawaz, who works at the MNDF weapons storage. The second person is Sergeant Moosa Zameer, and the third suspect remains unidentified.

Criminal Court issued 15-day remand periods to Jawaz and Zameer yesterday evening.

The explosion took place as the speedboat approached Izzuddin Jetty in Malé. The president was returning from the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Sources have told Sun Online that Jawaz was arrested upon his return from Sri Lanka Monday afternoon. He left the country on 27 September 2015.

Also, police have searched his house and found suspicious items.

Following the explosion, a new unit has been established in the MNDF. The Presidential Security Division (PSD) will replace the SPG’s functions related to providing security to the president.

Colonel Abdul Raheem has been appointed as the head of the PSD, and the head of SPG, Colonel Ahmed Fayaz, has been transferred to the post of Commander of Malé Area.