VP calls for severe repercussions to those behind attack on President

Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Gafoor on Monday called for investigation into the blast on presidential speedboat, and those behind it to be brought to justice and dealt with severe repercussions.

He made the statement while speaking to press at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, on his way to China on official business.

“The message I want to give is, not to politicize the incident like that, get to the bottom of it, discover the real culprits responsible, bring them to justice and have severe punishment levied on them,” said Adheeb.

Answering a question posed by Sun Online, Adeeb said that he believed National Inquiry Commission could conduct a thorough investigation into the incident despite Home Minister Umar Naseer being at the helm of it.

He denied saying anything directed at Umar during his interview in DhiTV ‘Habaru Therein’ program, and said that it was media that made the assumption.

Adeeb said that investigation into the incident was going at full speed under the watchful eye of President Abdulla Yameen.

He also said that involving international parties in the investigation was important to get to the bottom of the incident.

“I believe it to be very important. Involving international parties into investigations into major incidents in Maldives – Sultan Part, Dr. Afrasheem case, and other cases – I believe is very important to get to the bottom of it.”

When asked whether he believed the investigation into the incident had been corrupted with any political influence, he said that he did not believe the commission set up by President Yameen was under any political influence.

At the same time, he also expressed concern over the incident being blamed on a particular individual both by press and social media.

“I do not believe the commission to be corrupted by any political influence. But we, and you, will see what’s being said in social media and written in newspapers. Isn’t it?”