Fugitive linked to serial gang attacks detained from airport

The police on Thursday detained a man they believe to be linked to the recent spate of gang-related violence in the Maldivian capital.

Hussain Areesh, 31, Banafsaage, Dhiguvaandu, Fuvahmulah City, was arrested from the Velana International Airport (VIA) in the morning following an unsuccessful attempt to flee to Malaysia.

A police spokesperson said the man is “suspected of involvement in the ongoing serial assaults and of involvement in committing dangerous crimes.”

According to the police, Areesh has an extensive criminal record, and has been arrested in the past in connection to 26 cases involving drugs, assault and possession of sharp-edged weapons.

A court warrant had been out for his arrest when he took a flight to Malaysia.

Malaysian authorities prevented him from entering the country and put him on a flight back to the Maldives.

He was arrested by the police as soon as the flight landed at VIA.

Photos taken by a local media outlet show him handcuffed behind his back as he is escorted out of the arrivals gate by at least half a dozen police officers.

The latest arrest comes after Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan, the chief police spokesperson, said on Tuesday that the police had made several arrests from Male’ over the last two days “on suspicion of involvement in recent reports of serious violence.”

However, he declined to disclose any details, saying that the police would disclose further details later.

But at least one of the people arrested is a 21-year-old man from Male’ City, who, according to statements made by police at his remand hearing at the Criminal Court on Tuesday, is a member of one of the two Male’-based gangs engaged in a series of retaliatory attacks.

According to investigators, the young man lives in a property used by the gang as a safehouse, and is tasked with locating rival gang members. He is suspected of conspiracy to commit murder with intent, and conspiring to and attempting to commit assault using dangerous weapons.

The serial attacks are under investigation by the police.