Speedboat blast was an assassination attempt on Maldives president's life
Two military officials have been arrested after international investigators including the FBI ruled out mechanical failure
An explosion on a speedboat carrying Maldives President Abudullah Yameen was an assassination attempt, the minister at his office said on Tuesday, citing the findings of international investigators.
Two military officials have been arrested over the incident, Mohamed Hussain Shareef said.
Yameen was unhurt in the September 28 blast on board the presidential launch as it approached the capital Male, but his wife and two aides were injured. Initially the government said it could be due to mechanical failure.
Shareef said that theory had been ruled out by investigators from the US FBI, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
“They are now telling me that they have enough evidence to believe that it is likely to have been an attempt on the president’s life,” he said by telephone from Male.
“Authorities have arrested two people ... in line of command who had access to the vessel.”