The vice-president of the Maldives has been arrested over an
alleged assassination attempt on the country’s leader. President Yameen Abdul
Gayoom was targeted in an explosion on his speedboat last month, said
authorities on the island nation.
alleged assassination attempt on the country’s leader. President Yameen Abdul
Gayoom was targeted in an explosion on his speedboat last month, said
authorities on the island nation.
The leader was unhurt in the 28 September blast as he was
returning from Saudi Arabia after the Hajj pilgrimage, but his wife, an aide
and a bodyguard were injured.
returning from Saudi Arabia after the Hajj pilgrimage, but his wife, an aide
and a bodyguard were injured.
Soon after the explosion, there were rumours vice-president
Ahmed Adeeb was behind it, though he has denied involvement.
Ahmed Adeeb was behind it, though he has denied involvement.
Mr Adeeb has now been arrested on suspicion of involvement
in the boat blast as he returned from an official visit to China, police
spokesman Ismail Ali. He said Mr Adeeb had been taken to a detention centre,
while
home minister Umar Naseer said on Twitter the charge against him was
“high treason”.
Three soldiers, including a former member of Adeeb’s
security team and a member of the army’s bomb squad, were also arrested in
connection with the blast.
security team and a member of the army’s bomb squad, were also arrested in
connection with the blast.
The device used to set off the explosion was put under the
seat usually occupied by the president but he was not sitting there at the
time.
seat usually occupied by the president but he was not sitting there at the
time.
Authorities initially said the blast could have been a result
of a mechanical failure. But they announced later it was an attempt to
assassinate Mr Gayoom and launched a criminal investigation.
of a mechanical failure. But they announced later it was an attempt to
assassinate Mr Gayoom and launched a criminal investigation.
If the president dies, is incapacitated or resigns, the
vice-president succeeds him, according to the Maldives’ constitution.
vice-president succeeds him, according to the Maldives’ constitution.
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