The Criminal Court has decided that it would conduct closed-door hearings against the four men that were arrested on suspicion of attempting to make and plant explosive devices in capital city Malé.
This was decided at the hearing held at 11:00 am on Thursday. The four men facing prosecution are Shiman Shareef from Naivaadhoo of Haa Dhaal atoll, Mohamed Thasleem and Nasiu Mohamed from Hoarafushi island of Haa Alifu atoll, and Iuthisham Mohamed from Madaveli island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll.
The case was forwarded for prosecution 25th July. The four individuals were arrested on 24th April in a special operation conducted by the police, on the grounds of possible threats to national security.
Police had searched three houses in Mahchangoalhi ward of capital city Malé that night. Officers entered and searched Voltan, Embu, Kinaaraa House and Namoonaage.
One of the four suspects apprehended that night was earlier caught at an Indian border along with his family, reportedly en route to Syria. This particular individual is a known supporter of the militant terrorist group Islamic State, and has had his accounts on social networking platforms suspended for inciting radicalistic violence.
Further, the police had conducted their search after having apprehended one of the two men convicted in the 2007 bombing on Sultan Park, in capital city Malé. Police had escorted him to their search on Voltan, where he has been residing since his 15-year jail sentence was suspended.
The search had led officers to various fillers used in explosive and other chemical compounds that can be used to create a detonated explosive device.
