Saturday
20th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Criminal Court of the Maldives
The man arrested for threatening to detonate a bomb near Muliaage, the official residence of the President, has revealed in court that he is a recovering addict and had been under the influence of strong medication when he made the threats.
Police on Friday arrested two individuals for claiming they were in possession of an explosive. The one who made the claims has received a remand of seven days. When a Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) officer standing guard outside the presidential palace began observing the individuals, they claimed to be in possession of a bomb. The two arrested had drug records.
The man in remand stated in court that he "said something at the officers", and claimed he had been under the influence of a strong medication with "intoxicating" effects to help with his recovery. The court order mentioned that the police were accusing him of threatening to commit an act of terrorism, fear-mongering, and spreading false information.
The court order further stated that there was proof backing the accusations, and he is being held in remand for seven days as he poses a potential danger to the public. After the May 6 attack on former President and incumbent Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, matters related to terrorism are being taken more seriously.