Speaker Nasheed injured in blast outside residence

Brigadier General Zakariyya Mansoor said that those responsible for the attack last night will be found and brought to justice.

Chief Shamaal said that the IED detonated last night was a powerful one and even more powerful than the one detonated near the Sultan Park in 2007. 

Chief Shamaal said that the IED used in the blast was most likely a timed detonation. He added that the blast was initiated most likely by a phone or a remote. 

Chief Shamaal added that the IED was a controlled one. 

Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal has stated that the security status of the Maldives regarding terror attacks was at its highest. 

The Chief said that the terror alert level was at "Amber".

Information related to another device was also received at the time of the attack, said Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal who specified that the information turned out to be untrue. 

The motorcycles parked on the narrow road of Neelofaru Hingun caused a security issue, said the Chief of Defense Force who added that requests were made to remove the parked vehicles. 

Chief of Defense Major General Abdulla Shamaal said that Nasheed is provided multiple layers of security.

Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal added that ex-President Mohamed Nasheed was a high-risk figure and that he was provided with a powerful security detail. 

As soon as Nasheed fell after the blast, the PSA bodyguard of Nasheed immediately lifted Nasheed and carried him into the car, according to Chief of Defense Major General Abdulla Shamaal. 

He expressed satisfaction with how the SPG team of Nasheed had conducted themselves last night.

Nasheed had stated that he felt pain in his chest as he was being taken to the hospital, said Maj. Shamaal.

Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal has stated that the blast came from an Improvised Explosive Device attached to a motorcycle near the residence of Speaker Nasheed. 

The chief described the details of the incident during the press conference. 

Major General Shamaal said that Nasheed fell to the ground after the blast.

Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal said that Nasheed was leaving to depart for an event at another island. 

Chief of Defense Force Maj General Abdulla Shamaal said that the attack on Nasheed was a terrorist attack.

The Defense Minister also praised the actions of Nasheed's bodyguards last night. 

She said that the bodyguards did honorable work that deserves praise.

The incident happened at 20:27, and Nasheed was taken to the Emergency Room of the ADK at 20:35, said Minister Mariya. 

Minister Mariya said that the explosion noise was so loud that the Special Protective Guards (SPD) personnel also suffered acoustic trauma. 

Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has stated that the attack last night targeting ex-President Mohamed Nasheed and harming anyone in the Maldives is unacceptable. 

Minister Mariya stated that the security situation right now was not safe for anyone, based from the attack on ex-President Nasheed. 

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) will be holding a press conference shortly regarding last night's terror attack targeting former President Mohamed Nasheed. 

The press conference will be given by Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi and Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal as well as vice Chief of Defense Force Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef and Brigadier General Zakariyya Mansoor.

The press conference is scheduled for 22:00 and will begin shortly.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz has stated that the correct information of the motorcycle related to the blast which wounded former President Mohamed Nasheed has been obtained by police. 

The blast is believed to have come from a device attached to a motorcycle close to Nasheed's residence. 

Former President Mohamed Nasheed's younger brother Nazim Abdul Sattar has tweeted that the last surgery on Nasheed has been completed successfully and what remains now is the long road to recovery.

Nasheed is still receiving treatment at the ADK Hospital due to the blast last night. 

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated that the current situation in the Maldives did not warrant a declaration of a state of emergency.

The Commissioner said that preventive measures for any further attacks were now in place and that relevant state officials would be advised if the situation warranted a state of emergency.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated that the motive behind the attack is too soon to be determined. 

The Commissioner was speaking in a press conference underway. 

Commissioner Hameed said that based on the current information it did not seem that the attack was coordinated with a foreign organization. 

He further stated that police were looking into the attack which targeted the head of one of the three powers of the state. 

The blast that wounded the ex-President Mohamed Nasheed was not caused by military-grade bomb-making material Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz has stated citing initial investigations into the attack. 

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated that the lack of intelligence information related to last night's attack will be looked into and why the work is not being conducted to its best will also be looked into. 

The Commissioner said that the investigation into the attack is the priority right now and that finding those suspected and arresting them is also the priority.

The Maldives Police Service has stated that it did not receive any intelligence information regarding the attack on ex-President Mohamed Nasheed last night. 

The information was stated by Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed in a press conference underway right now. 

The Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated that four people have so far been noticed of being connected with the attack last night on ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. 

"There are four people of interest in relation to the attack," said Commissioner of Police in a press conference underway right now.

Police said that details of why the persons are of interest could not be disclosed right now due to the initial stages of the investigation into the attack. 

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated that investigation into the attack last night on ex-President Mohamed Nasheed is the highest priority case of the police right now. 

The CP in the press conference underway right now said that apart from the ex-President those wounded in the attack are three bodyguards of the ex-President, a 43-year old local male and a 70 year old British national

Supporters of former President Mohamed Nasheed are still gathered near the ADK Hospital where Nasheed is being treated. 

Nasheed was wounded in a blast near his residence last night. His condition is reportedly stable but still requires one more surgery. 

The final preparations are being made for the police press conference regarding last night's terror attack targeting ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. 

The press conference will be taken part by Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz.

The Canaryge area, where last night's terror attack happened is still cordoned off to the public. 

Police are still at the scene of the attack and people living nearby are allowed to enter their residences with the permission of the police. 

The attack last night happened near Canaryge which is the residence of former President Mohamed Nasheed. He is still receiving treatment at the hospital due to the wounds sustained from the attack.

The Prosecutor General's Office has stated that it is assisting the police in the investigation into the terror attack on ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. 

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem said that he is assisting the investigation himself. 

Strongly condemn the attack on President @MohamedNasheed last night and wish him a speedy recovery.

Myself and @PGO_MV prosecutors are working closely with @PoliceMv on the criminal investigation.

— Hussain Shameem (@HuShameem) May 7, 2021

Police request bystanders and any witnesses who were in the area and who saw anything suspicious to provide information by contacting 9704000. The information shared and the identity of the individual would be kept confidential, stated the police.

Police are also holding a press conference at 14:30 in relation to the attack. 

The Maldives Police Service has stated that last night's attack on the former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed was a terrorist attack.

Police: Blast targeting ex-President Nasheed being investigated as terror attack https://t.co/qqXesJMz2u

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) May 7, 2021

In a press statement issued today, police said that the incident is being investigated with the utmost priority and that all the investigative and forensic resources of the police are being used for the investigation into the attack.

The ADK Hospital, where former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed is receiving treatment after being wounded in a blast last night, has stated that Nasheed requires one more surgery after multiple procedures were carried out on him. 

ADK Hospital: Multiple surgeries on Nasheed successful, one more to be done https://t.co/1TpQycPB7L

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) May 7, 2021

President describes the explosion as an attack against Maldives' democracy and economy, and said that such attacks will not be tolerated.

President says local authorities are seeking assistance from international experts to investigate the attack. And that a team from Australian Federal Police will arrive in Maldives to assist in the investigation on Saturday, May 8.

Australian police to assist Maldives probe attack against Speaker Nasheed https://t.co/3aO6dUCh8c

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) May 6, 2021

President begins his adress.

President scheduled to adress the nation at 02:30 am, says his spokesperson.

ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ @ibusolih މިރޭ 2:30 ގައި ޓީވީތައް މެދުވެރިކުރައްވާ ދިވެހި ރައްޔިތުންނާ މުޚާތަބުކުރައްވާނެ.

— Mabrook Azeez (@MvSpokesperson) May 6, 2021

Deputy Speaker Eva identifies the foreigner injured in the explosion as a British national.

President’s spokesperson says President Solih will deliver a televised address shortly.

ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ @ibusolih މިރޭ ޓީވީތައް މެދުވެރިކޮށް ޤައުމާ މުޚާތަބުކުރައްވާނެ.

މިކަމާ ގުޅޭ އިތުރު މަޢުލޫމާތު ކުޑަ ވަގުތުކޮޅެއްގެ ތެރޭގައި ހިއްސާކުރާނަން.

— Mabrook Azeez (@MvSpokesperson) May 6, 2021

ADK Hospital says Nasheed needs additional surgeries to treat his injuries.

During ongoing assessment of injuries , need for further surgeries identified. Specialist teams are proceeding with the required essential surgeries.

— ADK Hospital (@ADKHospital) May 6, 2021

Parliament's Security Services Committee decides to hold closed meeting.

President Solih has convened the members of his Cabinet for an emergency meeting in the wake of the attack against Nasheed.

According to the President’s spokesperson Mabrook Azeez, the Cabinet will discuss necessary measures in response to the attack.

Parliament’s Security Services Committee is scheduled to convene for an emergency meeting to discuss action in response to the attack against Nasheed at 00:30 hours.

MNDF has announced the remaining the two injured officers taken to ADK Hospital have been discharged following treatment.

MNDF said the explosion injured three of their officers. One of the officers was treated at IGMH for an ear injury and has been discharged. The remaining two officers continue to be treated at ADK Hospital.

They received minor injuries, said MNDF.

Emergency sitting at Parliament begins with 67 in attendance.

Emergency sitting at Parliament is being presided over by Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, who described the attack against Nasheed as a cowardly act of terror, and condemned the attack on behalf of all parliamentarians and Parliament staffers.

Eva said the sitting will continue until the Parliament receives more details regarding Nasheed’s condition. She also said she will share the latest investigative findings as they come in.

Hospital: Nasheed sustained multiple injuries, vitals stable https://t.co/3wzj3oLZfm

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) May 6, 2021

President’s spokesperson Mabrook Azeez has announced the President is scheduled to convene the national security council for an emergency meeting over the attack against Speaker Nasheed.

ރައީސް މުޙައްމަދު ނަޝީދަށް މިރޭ ދީފައިވާ ނުރައްކާތެރި ހަމަލާ ދިވެހި ސަރުކާރުން ކުށްވެރިކުރޭ.
މި މައްސަލަ މިހާރު ދަނީ ދިވެހި ފުލުހުންނާއި، ސިފައިން ތަޙުޤީޤު ކުރަމުން.

އަދި، މިކަމާ ގުޅިގެން ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ އާއި ނޭޝަނަލް ސެކިއުރިޓީ ކައުންސިލްގެ މެންބަރުން މިރޭ ބައްދަލުކުރާނެ.

— Mabrook Azeez (@MvSpokesperson) May 6, 2021

Tonight's vicious attack on Speaker Prez @MohamedNasheed & others shows total disregard for human dignity amid a raging pandemic especially during the last few days of holy month of Ramadan. Strictly condemn such atrocity that reek of cowardice & incompatibility with civilization

— Mariya Didi ???? (@MariyaDidi) May 6, 2021

President Solih has issued a short statement on Twitter condemning the attack against Nasheed. He is currently at ADK Hospital where Nasheed is undergoing treatment.

މާލޭ ނީލޯފަރުމަގުގައި ބާރުގަދަ އެއްޗެއް ގޮވައި ރައީސް މުޙައްމަދު ނަޝީދަށް ލިބުނު އަނިޔާ އަށް މިހާރު ދަނީ އޭޑީކޭ ހޮސްޕިޓަލުގައި ފަރުވާ ދެމުން. މި އަމަލު އެންމެ ހަރުކަށި އިބާރާތުން ކުށްވެރިކުރަން.އަދި މި މައްސަލަ ފުލުހުން ދަނީ މިހާރު ތަޙުޤީޤުކުރަމުން.

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) May 6, 2021

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – the main ruling party – has issued a statement condemning the dangerous attack against their leader Nasheed at the harshest terms.

“This party believes this to be a terrorist attack targeting Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, to take his life,” said MDP in their statement.

MDP has called for an immediate investigation to take action against the culprits behind the attack.

“This party prays for a swift recovery to Speaker Nasheed and his security,” said MDP.

Home Minister Imran Abdulla promises the police will investigate the attack against Nasheed as a matter of high priority.

Rayyithun ge majlis ge Raees @MohamedNasheed ah amaazukoh mirey dhevunu hamalaa harukashi ibaaraathun kuvverikuran. Mimassala emme matheedharajaige ahammiyyathu kandheegen dhivehi fuluhun thahuqeeq kuraakan kashavarukuraanan iA. RN aai gellunvi faraayithakah avas shifa ah edhen.

— Imran Abdulla (@ShimranAb) May 6, 2021

Sun is able to confirm the Parliament is getting ready to convene for an emergency sitting at 10:30 pm

A large crowd as gathered at ADK Hospital, where Nasheed is being treated for injuries he sustained in the explosion. Those gathered include MDP activists and several MDP parliamentarians. The police continue to urge the crowd to disperse, citing the curfew in effect in the capital to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has issued a short statement on Twitter expressing deep concern over the attack against Nasheed.

Deeply concerned at the attack on Speaker @MohamedNasheed. Wish him a speedy recovery. Know that he will never be intimidated.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 6, 2021

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has arrived at ADK Hospital, where Nasheed is being treated for his injuries.

Sun's journalist at the scene reports President Solih was met with calls for his resignation by some of the people gathered outside the hospital.

Opposition coalition, composed of PPM and PNC, has issued a statement condemning the attack against Nasheed.

They have called for a swift investigation into the attack, and for the culprits to be punished to the full extent of the law.

Opposition condemns attack against Speaker Nasheed, calls for swift investigation https://t.co/eQQPJDxJlJ

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) May 6, 2021

Former Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hussain Manik – special advisor to opposition PPM-PNC coalition - has condemned the attack against Nasheed.

I strongly, wholeheartedly condemn the attack aimed at my fmr running mate & predecessor @MohamedNasheed. The propagation of hate in Maldivian politics must end, & we must find ways to unite & work together, rather than divide. My prayers are with him, the SPG, & their families.

— Mohamed Waheed (@DrWaheedH) May 6, 2021

Maldives Police Service has issued a statement confirming the explosion.

Following an explosion on Neeloafaru Magu in Malé, Speaker of Parliament President Mohamed Nasheed has sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at ADK Hospital.
1/2

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 6, 2021

Former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – the leader of government coalition partner MRM - has condemned the attack against Nasheed.

I do hope and pray that Raees Nasheed is unhurt and well. I condemn in the strongest terms all acts of violence and terrorism.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) May 6, 2021

The sound of the explosion has drawn a large crowd of civilians, who are being pushed back by armed military officers.

Update: Hathiyaaraeku gina adhadhege sifain mi sarahdhah aisfi. Sarahdhu gai thibi aanmun mihaaru vanee dhurah jahssafai @sunbrk pic.twitter.com/q6LdmPDbc2

— Muzayyin Nazim (@tedmaldives) May 6, 2021

Sun’s journalist at the scene said the explosive looks to have been planted on a motorcycle parked near Nasheed’s car.

The explosion has resulted in damages to several vehicles in the area.

Video: Govaalaifivanee RNaseed car kairee park kohfai oiy cycle eh gai @sunbrk pic.twitter.com/lvX7kMxcfc

— Muzayyin Nazim (@tedmaldives) May 6, 2021

The explosion also injured one of his bodyguards and a bystander – identified as a foreign national.

Police and military officers are operating at the scene.

The explosion took place just as Nasheed entered his car, which was parked outside his residence.

Nasheed has been taken to the ADK Hospital for emergency treatment. His phone and his sandals lie on the road.

Following an explosion near his residence, Speaker of Parliament President Mohamed Nasheed has sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at ADK Hospital.

We will keep the public informed on President Nasheed’s condition as we receive updates.

— Eva Abdulla ????❓ (@evattey) May 6, 2021