Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem was assaulted on Wednesday morning, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has confirmed. Shameem was admitted to ADK Hospital, where he received treatment for injuries sustained in the assault.
Shameem has since been discharged and is recuperating at home, a media official of the Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed to Maldives Republic.
The violent attack reportedly occurred near his residence by Noor Mosque, shortly after he parked his motorcycle. Initial reports suggest that the assailants used a hammer in the assault, resulting in a blow to Shameem’s left hand. Media outlets reported he sustained fractures to his arm.
The police have clarified that the weapon used in the assault was not a sharp object. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The attack has elicited widespread condemnation from political leaders and parties.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took to social media to express his outrage, characterising the assault as politically motivated. He urged the authorities to expedite the investigation and ensure the perpetrators face justice. “Such heinous crimes have no place in a democratic system,” Solih asserted.
His Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) joined the chorus of condemnation, attributing the attack to alleged ties between the government and criminal gangs. “These attacks are a direct consequence of the close relations between government officials and criminal gangs, and the protection provided to these gangs by the government,” the party stated, echoing the call for a swift investigation.
The Democrats have escalated the matter to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security Services, urging a thorough and timely investigation. Hassan Latheef, Member of Parliament for Central Henveiru and president of The Democrats, penned a letter to Parliament Speaker Mohamed Aslam, emphasising the need for the MPS to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
Former Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed expressed confidence in the police’s investigative capabilities, condemning the attack and asserting that the police are fully equipped to handle the matter.
In response to allegations made by the opposition, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan challenged Solih to share any “credible information” he might possess about the incident. Ihusaan also suggested that Solih’s assertion that the attack was politically motivated indicated knowledge of the motive and the individuals responsible.
Following the attack, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) had increased security for the Prosecutor General. The office also confirmed that Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau visited Shameem to inquire about his health.
