May 6 inquiry report: Defense Minister failed to carry out her duties

In the report compiled by the Parliament’s Security Services Committee (241 Committee) on their inquiry into Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed’ security breach, they have called out the failure of Defense Minister Mariya Didi to carry out her duties after being made aware of a possible assassination attack on Nasheed. 

Nasheed was attacked near his residence in Male' City on May 6. He was wounded in the bomb attack which saw an IED attached to a motorcycle near his home detonated as he was getting into his car. Nasheed was critically wounded in the attack which also wounded three of his bodyguards as well as two civilians.

The report noted that MP for Hulhudhoo Constituency Ilyas Labeeb was passed on information by a civilian regarding plans of an attack on Nasheed – which Ilyas informed Nasheed and then also brought to the attention of Minister Mariya.

Upon receiving such crucial intelligence, Minister Mariya had not shared the information with any relevant parties. Moreover, she had requested Ilyas to report the matter to the police, himself.

Minister Mariya had defended herself for not following protocol – citing that she did not believe that information given over a phone call without any names or leads which can be pursued can be addressed as "credible, actionable intelligence".

In its report, the committee vigorously criticized Minister Mariya’s failure to share crucial information she had received – labeling it as “unacceptable”.

The committee also highlighted that there was the opportunity to take precautions against an attack had it had been informed prior.

In the report, the committee also called out MNDF’s Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal for failing to answerable to important questions posed by the committee with respect to his institution. 

During his questioning, Shamaal expressly stated that Nasheed’s security was being managed by SPG officers that are under a separate command – thus it should be them that are answerable to all questions posed regarding Nasheed’s security contrary to him in his capacity as the Chief of Defense Force. 

‘NASHEED WAS THE TARGET OF EXTREMISTS MULTIPLE TIMES’

According to the inquiry report, Nasheed has been the target of religious extremists multiple times for being outspoken against them over religious matters.

In this regard, within the past two years, the threat profile of Nasheed has been assessed on nine different occasions over different threats subsequent to which the threat profile on him had been raised to the highest level at the time of his attack. He was threatened on two occasions this year as well prior to the attack on him on May 6.

The committee further highlighted that Nasheed was a very active member of the society despite the constant threats to his life – which ultimately put him at even higher risk.