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Maldivian presidential assassination attempts

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Maldivian presidential assassination attempts
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom1980, 1983, 1988, 2008
Mohamed Nasheed2021
Abdulla Yameen2015

Maldivian presidential assassination attempts have been numerous, ranging from the early twentieth century since the establishment of the first republic of the Maldives. In 1980, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was first Maldivian president to experience an assassination attempt, when three attempts were made to overthrow Maumoon's government and assassinate the president.

There have been attempted assassinations on three different presidents: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (1980, 1983, 1988, 2008). President Maumoon escaped unharmed from an assassination attempt at Hoarafushi. Mohamed Murshid, a twenty-year-old man from the island, attempted to stab him with a knife concealed in a Maldivian Flag. Former president, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom escaped a blast, planned by vice president, Ahmed Adeeb. President Nasheed was hurt by a bomb attack near his private residence, Galolhu Kenereege. The first president, Mohamed Amin Didi, was banished to Dhoonidhoo, causing him to die.

Attempts to assassinate Maldivian presidents have been largely unsuccessful. Perpetrators have usually been arrested and prosecuted, but some remain at large.

Presidents assassinated

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Mohamed Amin

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See also: Mohamed Amin Didi

The citizens of Malé appointed Velaanaagey Ibrahim Didi, President Mohamed Amin Didi's vice president, as the head of government of the newly established republic in 1953. Despite warnings to stay away, Amin Didi returned to the Maldives aboard a Catalina aircraft. Upon his arrival, for his own protection, he was escorted to Dhoonidhoo island, where he was placed under government supervision, albeit with the dignity befitting a former head of state.[1]

After spending four months on Dhoonidhoo, clandestine correspondence between Amin Didi and Ibrahim Hilmy Didi surfaced, proposing to overthrow the revolutionary government and reinstate the monarchy, with Ibrahim Hilmy as king and Amin as Prime Minister. In a daring move, Amin Didi attempted to seize control of Bandeyrige one night in Malé, provoking such fury among the populace that he narrowly escaped being lynched. Subsequently, he was cast adrift in a small boat near Malé.[2][a]

In the aftermath, Amin Didi, Ibrahim Hilmy Didi, and Shamsuddin Hilmy, among others, were brought to trial for their roles in the rebellion. They were ultimately sentenced to exile: Mohamed Amin to Kaafu Atoll, Gaafaru; Ibrahim Hilmy to K. Gulhi; and Shamsuddin Hilmy to K. Himmafushi.[3]

As Amin Didi's health declined, he was transferred to Vihamanaafushi Island where he died on January 19, 1954. A funeral was conducted in his honor.[4]

Wounded presidents and attempts

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Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

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Main article: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom § Assassination attempt

On 8 January 2008, then-president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was visiting Hoarafushi in Haa Alif Atoll.[5] Mohamed Murshid, a man aged twenty hailing from the island, made an attempt to stab then—president of the Maldives and Asia's longest-serving president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, using a knife concealed within a Maldives flag.[6] However, his effort was thwarted when Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim, a sixteen—year—old boy scout from Kudahuvadhoo island, intervened, blocking the attack with his own hands.[7] Unfortunately, Jaisham sustained injuries during his courageous act and required medical treatment. He was later treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.[8][9] Reportedly, the attacker, Murshid tried to stab the president's stomach.[10]

Aftermath, addressing the people of Hoarafushi, President Gayoom expressed his regrets over injuries sustained by Jaisham in the incident and said;

By the grace of Almighty Allah, I am well and safe, but severe injuries have been inflicted on to brave young man of this island, that is Mohamed Jaisham, he is a very person, a true hero, I sincerely thank him and his family and I pray to Almighty Allah to grant him speedy recovery.

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom[11]

Further, he said "I would like to assure the people of Maldives, that by the grace of Almighty Allah, that I will remain steadfast in the service of the people, my resolve will not be deterred by such acts, I will continue to discharge the responsibilities the people of the country entrusted me with and I would like assure all that if I am elected again to serve as the President that I will continue to work for the people in the resolve".[11]

After the assault, Murushid was apprehended and later convicted to a twelve-year term for perpetrating a premeditated attack on an incumbent president, along with an additional year for attempting violence with a sharp object.[12]

Coups d'état

See also: 1988 Maldives coup d'état

In the 1980s, Maumoon's government faced three attempted overthrows and assassination plots. The initial attempt occurred in 1980, followed by another in 1983. However, it was the third attempt in 1988 that proved successful in seizing control of the capital city and numerous government establishments. The coup against Maumoon's regime in the Maldives was thwarted by the intervention of the Indian Armed Forces, initiated upon his request.

On the night of 2 November 1988, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was drafting a speech for Republic Day on 11 November, after cancelling a planned visit. Meanwhile, First Lady Nasreena Ibrahim was indulging their son Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon's stamp-collecting hobby. Around 1:30 AM, they slept for the night. Two hours later, they were startled by a loud noise. President Maumoon inquired, mistaking it for thunder, but Nasreena suspected gunfire or an explosion, attributing it to fireworks in a nearby garage.[13]

Staying at the Theemuge presidential residence, they were alerted by security that terrorists were attacking the Maldives Security Service building. Attempting to leave in the presidential motorcade, they were advised to return due to the ongoing attack. Proceeding on foot, they encountered a Tamil terrorist wielding a gun. Nasreena and Ghassan shielded the president, as many were unfamiliar with her appearance.[13]

Seeking refuge in Nasreena's childhood neighborhood, they knocked on several doors for shelter. Finally welcomed into the home of Ghassan's friend at Gulistaange, they contacted government officials and sought assistance from India, the United States, and other countries. Indian forces executed "Operation Cactus," rescuing the first family and quelling the attack.[13]

Abdulla Yameen

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On 28 September 2015, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his spouse, then-first lady, Fathimath Ibrahim, were travelling from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to Malé, after they had been to the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.[14] the couple were travelling at the official speedboat of the president.[b][15] The assassination attempt of president Abdulla Yameen left the president unhurt, however, the first lady Fathimath Ibrahim, with spine injuries, and a wounded presidential secretary and a bodyguard.[16]

The explosion on the Finifenmaa boat was detected as it approached the landing point at the presidential boat jetty.[17] Shortly after the assassination attempt, rumors circulated implicating Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.[18] Authorities labeled the incident as "it was on purpose to kill the president".[19] later, President Yameen apprehended two high-ranking police officers.[20] This came on the heels of the president dismissing his defense minister a week prior.[21]


Avatar of Umar Naseer
Avatar of Umar Naseer
 Umar Naseer
@UmarNaseerMV
 Twitter logo, a stylized blue bird

VP Adheeb under arrest and held in Dhoonidhoo Detention.

12:46 PM Oct 24, 2015[22]

Adheeb was arrested by Maldives Police and jailed on Dhoonidhoo on 24 October 2015, in connection with the attempted assassination of president Abdulla Yameen.[23][24] Adeeb was removed from office as vice president by a no confidence vote from the People's Majlis, with an overwhelming majority.[25]

Mohamed Nasheed

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President Nasheed flown in to Germany
Main article: Attempted assassination of Mohamed Nasheed

On May 6, 2021, there was an attempt on the life of the then-Maldivian Speaker of the People's Majlis and former president Mohamed Nasheed near his residence in Malé.[26] At 20:39 MVT (UTC+5), a homemade explosive device planted on a parked motorcycle detonated, injuring Nasheed and four others.[27][28] Maldivian authorities have labeled it as a terrorist attack by religious extremists.[29] Three suspects, all with previous criminal records, have been apprehended, though they deny any involvement.[30]

The blast happened on May 6, 2021, as Nasheed was entering his car.[31] He suffered injuries and underwent surgery at ADK Hospital.[32] Additionally, two of Nasheed's bodyguards and two bystanders, including a British national, were injured.[33] No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.[34]

Police Commissioner Mohamed Hameed stated that 450 officers were deployed for investigation, with two experts from the Australian Federal Police joining the inquiry.[35][36] This marked the second instance of Australian assistance following a 2015 investigation into an alleged assassination attempt on then-President Abdulla Yameen's speedboat. Additionally, officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United States Department of State offered support.[37] Close sources to Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party suggested the attack might be linked to his anti-corruption efforts.[38]

Injuries on president Nasheed

On May 9, 2021, Maldivian police announced the arrest of the "prime suspect" and two accomplices based on video footage, while still searching for others.[39] The police attributed the attack to "religious extremists," although the arrested suspects denied involvement, each having prior criminal records. Simultaneously, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security Services initiated an inquiry into the breach of Nasheed's security. On May 10, President Solih disclosed the formation of a special team within the Prosecutor General's Office to handle the court case.[40]

Nasheed underwent a 16-hour surgery to address injuries to his head, chest, abdomen, and limbs, with surgeons successfully removing multiple pieces of shrapnel, including one dangerously close to his heart.[41] The bomb, as reported by Agence France-Presse, contained ball bearings intended to amplify the damage. By May 8, Nasheed's condition had sufficiently improved to allow him to be removed from life support, although he remained in intensive care.[42] Despite the severity of his injuries, his condition remained stable, and he recuperated after undergoing numerous emergency surgeries. The hospital initially described him as being in critical condition in intensive care on May 7, following the extensive surgical procedures.

On May 13, 2021, Nasheed was transported to Germany for advanced medical care following serious injuries sustained alongside three others.[43] He re-entered the country on October 11, 2021, subsequently resuming his responsibilities as speaker.[44]

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "THE MALDIVES,THE NETHERLANDS: Amen for Amin". TIME. 1 February 1954. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  2. ^ Lentz, Harris M., ed. (4 February 2014). Heads of States and Governments Since 1945. Routledge. pp. 535–536. ISBN 978-1134264902. Retrieved 7 May 2015.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ "Al Ameer Mohamed Amin - The President's Office". The President's Office. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Death of Last Surviving Child of Amin Didi". Coral Glass. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  5. ^ James, Orr (8 January 2008). "Boy foils attack on Maldives president". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2008. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had been shaking hands with supporters on the island of Hoarafushi when a man leapt from the crowd with a kitchen knife.
  6. ^ "Boy scout saves Gayoom from assassination". The Daily Star. Agence France-Presse. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009. Officials said a 20-year-old unemployed man tried to plunge a knife into Gayoom's stomach, but that Asia's longest serving president was unhurt thanks to a boy scout who wrestled with the attacker before he was detained. "The president was greeting people when a young boy pulled out a knife and tried to stab him in the stomach," Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed said by telephone from the island capital of Male.
  7. ^ "Scout saves Maldives President from assassination". World Organization of the Scout Movement. 1 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Boy scout saves Maldives president from assassination". Agence France-Presse. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  9. ^ "The President thanks the Close Protection Team of Maldives National Defence Force for their aid in saving him from yesterday's attack at Hoarafushi". The President's Office. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008.
  10. ^ "Boy Scout Thwarts Assassination Attempt". CBS News. Associated Press. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  11. ^ a b "Jaisham a national hero – President". Velidhoo News. Blogspot. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2008.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. ^ Rasheed, Lujine (18 September 2018). "No qualms about mitigating sentence for attacker: ex-pres Gayoom". The Edition. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "MRM in beyvvi November 3 ge jalsaaga Nasreena Ibrahim dhehkevi vaahakafulhu (3 November 2022)" (Video). YouTube (in Divehi). Sun Online. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Maldives president unhurt in boat blast on return from Hajj". BBC News. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  15. ^ "Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom escapes unhurt in boat explosion". India.com. Press Trust of India. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  16. ^ Steve, Herman (12 October 2015). "Assassination Attempt Throws Maldives Into Political Controversy". Voice of America. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  17. ^ Bosley, Daniel (24 October 2015). "Maldives vice president arrested in probe of explosion targeting president". Reuters. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Ex-Maldives Vice President, Who Sought Asylum In India, Arrested". NDTV. Press Trust of India. 3 August 2019.
  19. ^ "Maldives Vice-President Adeeb arrested over 'bomb plot'". BBC News. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  20. ^ "President Yameen meets Commissioner of Police". Maldives Independent. 11 October 2015. Archived from the original on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2015. President Abdulla Yameen met with the Commissioner of Police Hussein Waheed and high-ranking officers at the police headquarters in Malé today following an apparent assassination attempt on his speedboat in September.
  21. ^ "Maldives leader fires defense minister amid explosion probe". Reuters. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  22. ^ "Maldives vice president arrested for plotting president's attempted assassination". First Post. 24 October 2015. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015. Maldivian authorities on Saturday arrested the nation's Vice President Ahmed Adeeb over a plot to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen, who escaped death after his boat was hit by a bomb, the home minister said.
  23. ^ Bosley, Daniel (24 October 2015). "Maldives arrests vice president for 'assassination bid'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  24. ^ Rasheed, Zaheena (24 October 2015). "Maldives vice-president charged over alleged plot to kill president". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Maldives crisis: Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb removed from power". BBC News. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  26. ^ Gossman, Patricia (10 May 2021). "Attack on Ex-Maldives' President Shows Cost of Impunity". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Mohamed Nasheed: Maldives ex-president in critical condition after bomb blast". BBC News. BBC. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  28. ^ Ratcliffe, Rebecca (7 May 2021). "Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed critically injured in bomb blast". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Country Reports on Terrorism 2021: Maldives". United States Department of State. 2021. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  30. ^ "May 6 blast suspects remanded into custody". Avas. 9 May 2021. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Former Maldives President Nasheed hurt in suspected bomb attack". Al Jazeera. 6 May 2021. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021. Ex-president and current Maldives parliament speaker was being treated for shrapnel wounds and is now in stable condition.
  32. ^ "Nasheed remains in ICU following successful surgeries, long road to recovery". Avas. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Maldives police say key suspect in Nasheed attack arrested". The Economic Times. Associated Press. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  34. ^ Siyech, Mohammed Sinan (2 June 2021). "Targeting of a former president highlights the growing challenge of extremism in Maldives". Observer Research Foundation. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  35. ^ "Maldives Arrests Two Over Attack On Ex-President Mohamed Nasheed". The Times of India. Agence France-Presse. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  36. ^ "Terrorist attack on Maldives ex-president: what we know". RaajjeTV. 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021. The case being investigation as an "urgent" priority by about 450 officers, has been classified as an act of terror under present laws.
  37. ^ Mohamed, Nash’ath (14 April 2022). ""I Could Have Been Next" Stymied Reforms in the Maldives". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  38. ^ Mallempati, Dr. Samantha (22 May 2021). "Attack on the Speaker of Maldives Mohammed Nasheed: A Threat to Fragile Democracy Dr. Samatha Mallempati". Indian Council of World Affairs. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Maldives bombing: 'Prime suspect' in attack on Mohamed Nasheed arrested". BBC News. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  40. ^ Hadi, Ahmedulla Abdul (10 May 2021). "President: May 6 attack Investigation going well, PG Shameem himself will go to court". Sun. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021.
  41. ^ "ބޮމުގެ ހަމަލާގައި ނަޝީދަށް ލިބިވަޑައިގަތް ޒަހަމްތައް އާއްމުކޮށްފި" [Nasheed's injuries in the bomb attack has been published]. Adhadhu News. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Maldives: Nasheed off life support after surviving bomb attack". Al Jazeera. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  43. ^ "Ex-Maldives president flies to Germany after bomb attack". DW. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2024. Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has been flown to Germany for further treatment after a bomb blast last week.
  44. ^ Zalif, Zunana (11 October 2021). "Nasheed returns after nearly five months abroad". RaajjeTv. Retrieved 11 October 2021.

Notes

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  1. ^ Some people argue that they banished Amin Didi for the purpose of killing him.
  2. ^ (Finifenmaa boat)

Further reading

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