The Criminal Court of the Maldives has issued a witness protection order in relation to the ongoing trial of the suspected perpetrators of the May 6, 2021 terrorist attack against Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.
The order was issued following a request by the state to protect 22 witnesses or evidences to be presented as part of the trial against six suspects of the May 6 attack. Following the request, the judge presiding over the trial issued the order to protect the witnesses to the levels requested by the state.
The order was issued as part of the trial of the charges pressed against Thahumeen Ahmed, Mujaz Ahmed, Ali Haisham, Mohamed Nazim, Ishaq and Fahumee Ali. Another hearing of the trial is scheduled for May 30.
Nine people were charged by the state in relation to the May 6 attack. However, only Ahmed Adhuham Rasheed, who confessed to triggering the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near the residence of Speaker Nasheed in an assassination attempt, has received a sentence so far.