Sosun Villa denies reports that Mahfooz stabbing suspect was seen in Colombo

Sosun Villa, Maldivian centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has denied reports that the suspect in the stabbing of Mahfooz Saeed was recently spotted at the centre.

Mahfooz is a member of former president Mohamed Nasheed’s legal team, and an Interpol Red Notice has been issued in the search for the suspect, Shafraz Ibrahim, 23.

Some papers have reported that Shafraz was seen playing football with Maldivian students at Sosun Villa.

Third-Secretary at Maldivian High Commission in Sri Lanka and Head of Sosun Villa Abdul Rasheed said that Shafraz used to be a member of Sosun Villa, but he has not been there since the issuance of the Red Notice.

The centre has also denied rumours that Shafraz is a close friend of its staff.

“He violated Sosun Villa regulations and was suspended in June. After that he issued death threats to some staff. He never went to Sosun Villa after the Interpol Red Notice,” Abdul Rasheed said.

Shafraz is registered as a student at Mercury Institute and lives in Sri Lanka on Resident Visa.

The second suspect in the attack on Mahfooz is Ahmed Raaid, 20.

Mahfooz was stabbed at 5:20 p.m. on 4 September 2015 while he was traveling on the backseat of a motorcycle on Maaveyo Magu, by two people on another motorcycle.