Parliament OKs inquiry into Nasheed’s security breach

The Parliament has approved the decision by Security Services Committee (241 Committee) to launch an inquiry the breach of Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed’s security on May 6, when an IED was detonated outside his residence, leaving him severely wounded.

A homemade remote-controlled IED was strapped to motorcycle parked nearby Nasheed’s residence, and was detonated at 08:27 pm on May 6, just as Nasheed, 53, exited his residence and went to get in his car. Nasheed was thrown to the ground and sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, while three members of his security detail and two bystanders sustained minor wounds.

He was rushed to ADK Hospital, where he underwent multiple lifesaving surgeries, and was airlifted to a military hospital in Germany last week to continue his rehabilitation and recovery.

A report by the 241 Committee in response to the case, which included six main recommendations, was passed with a majority vote of 42 parliamentarians on Monday afternoon.

According to the report, the 241 Committee has decided to expand the Parliament’s inquiry into Nasheed’s security breach to the full extent allowed under laws and regulations, and seek assistance from both local and international experts for the inquiry.

After the report was passed, Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla announced the Parliament will reconvene for a sitting on Monday night in relation to the inquiry.

“We need to conduct more work in relation to the committee report passed just now. To proceed with the inquiry. I therefore plan on scheduling a sitting for 08:30 pm to make the decisions which must be made on the floor,” she said.

Additional recommendations on the report include instructing the police to expedite investigations into all extremism-related cases, including the attack on Nasheed.

The Parliament has voted to continue Monday’s sitting until all parliamentarians have had their say regarding the attack.

The police are treating the May 6 blast as a targeted terror attack to assassinate Nasheed. They have made three arrests in connection to the case: Ahmed Adhuham Rasheed, 26, Hiyaa, GDh. Thinadhoo; Mujaz Ahmed, 21, Ma. Feyruge, K. Male’; and Thahmeen Ahmed, 32, Folheyma, GA. Kondey. Adhuham is believed to be the man who detonated the IED.