Maldivian presidential assassination attempts | |
---|---|
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom | 1980, 1983, 1988, 2008 |
Mohamed Nasheed | 2021 |
Abdulla Yameen | 2015 |
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.
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] [lower-alpha 1]
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]
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.
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
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]
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. [lower-alpha 2] [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]
Umar Naseer @UmarNaseerMV 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]
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]
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]
The history of the Maldives is intertwined with the history of the broader Indian subcontinent and the surrounding regions, comprising the areas of South Asia and Indian Ocean. The modern nation is formed of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1194 islands. Historically, the Maldives has held strategic importance due to its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives's nearest neighbors are the British Indian Ocean Territory, Sri Lanka and India. The United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, and some Indian kingdoms have had cultural and economic ties with the Maldives for centuries. In addition to these countries, Maldivians also traded with Aceh and many other kingdoms in what is today Indonesia and Malaysia. The Maldives provided the primary source of cowrie shells, which were then used as currency throughout Asia and parts of the East African coast. Most probably, Maldives were influenced by Kalingas of ancient India who were earliest sea traders to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from India, responsible for the spread of Buddhism. Stashes of Chinese crockery found buried in various locations in the Maldives also show that there was direct or indirect trade contact between China and the Maldives. In 1411 and 1430, the Chinese admiral Zheng He (鄭和) visited the Maldives. The Chinese also became the first country to establish a diplomatic office in the Maldives when the Chinese nationalist government based in Taipei opened an embassy in Malé in 1966. The Embassy of the People's Republic of China has since replaced this office.
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian statesman, diplomat and scholar who served as the 3rd president of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 1977 to 1978, and as the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations from 1976 to 1977. After serving six presidential terms, Gayoom became the longest serving president in Asia.
The Maldivian Democratic Party is the first political party formed in the Republic of Maldives with a total membership of 50,980 individuals as of July 28, 2024.
Majeediyya School is the first Maldivian government school, located in Malé, Maldives. It only accepted boys until the introduction of Primary Education in 2010, which allowed girls to attend the school as well. The English medium is followed throughout all subjects, with the exception of Dhivehi and Islam.
Black Friday, August 13, 2004, was the crackdown by the Maldivian National Security Service (NSS) — later Maldivian National Defence Force — on a peaceful protest in the capital city of Maldives, Malé. This unplanned and unorganized demonstration was the largest such protest in the country's history. Beginning on the evening of August 12, 2004, the demonstration grew and continued until it was forcefully ended on the afternoon of August 13, 2004. Protesters initially demanding the freeing of the pro-reformists arrested on the afternoon of August 12, 2004. As the protest continued to grow, people demanded the resignation of president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had been in power since 1978. What started as a peaceful demonstration ended after 22 hours, as the country's darkest day in recent history. Several people were severely injured as NSS personnel used riot batons and teargas on unarmed civilians.
The president of the Republic of Maldives is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Maldives and the commander-in-chief of the Maldives National Defence Force.
The Cabinet of the Maldives is the most senior level of the executive branch of the Government of the Maldives. It is made up of the President, the Vice President, Attorney General and the Ministers.
The Progressive Party of Maldives, is a political party in the Maldives with a total membership of 35,044 as of 25 April 2024. The stated goal of the party is driving Maldives towards an independent and democratic, safe and secure, high income, high human capital, developed nation state with a diversified and robust economy whilst preserving its Islamic heritage.
Presidential elections were held in the Maldives on 7, 9 and 16 November 2013. The first round was held on 7 September. As no candidate received a majority, a second round was planned to be held in 28 September between the candidates who received the most votes in the first round, former President Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen, paternal half-brother of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Incumbent President Mohammed Waheed Hassan was eliminated in the first round after receiving less votes than three other candidates.
Husnu Al Suood born in Meedhoo is a Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Maldives since 8 December 2019. He was the Attorney General of the Maldives from June 2009 to August 2010. He served as the Chief Judge of the Civil Court and as a member of the Judicial Service Commission of Maldives. He also served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission of the Maldives from 2003 to 2005. As a member of the Special Majlis, Suood participated in drafting the current constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian politician who served as president of the Maldives from 2013 to 2018.
Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor is a Maldivian politician who briefly served as Vice President of Maldives in 2015. Prior to his appointment on 22 July 2015, he served as the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
A political crisis in the Maldives intensified on after President Abdulla Yameen decided to disobey the Supreme Court order to release 9 political prisoners and reinstating 12 parliament members which will give the opposition (MDP) control of the chamber and potentially paving the way for Yameen's impeachment.
Sharif Mohamed is a Maldivian politician and entrepreneur who served as a Media Coordinator at The President's Office of the Maldives in 2015. Prior to his appointment on 7 July 2015, he served in executive committees of non-governmental organizations and as a youth wing council member of the Jumhooree Party.
On 6 May 2021, an assassination attempt was made against Maldivian Speaker of the People's Majlis and former president Mohamed Nasheed near his home in Malé. At 20:39 MVT (UTC+5), a homemade explosive device planted on a parked motorcycle exploded, injuring Nasheed and four others. Maldives authorities alleges it to be a terrorist attack by religious 'extremists'. Three suspects have been arrested. The arrested suspects denied being involved; all three of them had prior criminal records.
Ahmed Faris Maumoon, commonly known as Faris, is a Maldivian politician who currently serves as the President of the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), a political party established in 2019 by his father and former president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He has served as Minister of State for Economic Development from November 2013 to June 2015. He was also elected as a Member of Parliament from June 2015 to May 2019 for Dhiggaru constituency.
Sheikh Abdul Gayoom Ibrahim, commonly known as Maafaiygey Dhon Seedhi, was a Maldivian politician and judge who served as 7th Attorney General of the Maldive Islands from 1950 to 1951.
Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's tenure as the 6th President of the Maldives began on 17 November 2013 after he won the 2013 Maldivian presidential election against then-President Mohamed Waheed Hassan and ended on 17 November 2018 after he lost to Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the 2018 Maldivian presidential election.
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: CS1 maint: date and year (link)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.
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.
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.
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.
Ex-president and current Maldives parliament speaker was being treated for shrapnel wounds and is now in stable condition.
The case being investigation as an "urgent" priority by about 450 officers, has been classified as an act of terror under present laws.
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has been flown to Germany for further treatment after a bomb blast last week.