Mohamed Thasleem, native to Hoarafushi island in Haa Alif atoll, is the alleged ringleader of the attack, police has said. He was arrested in southernmost Addu City. However, the police didn’t attribute any financial motive behind the attack as earlier suggested by Nasheed himself.

Thasleem, police said, has had a record of expressing hatred towards Nasheed.

Home Minister Imran Abdullah congratulated the police for what he called the “most difficult” investigation ever conducted by the Maldivian police. He pointed out that this mission was successful due to the coordination and support of different authorities and hundreds of police officers.

Abdullah expressed confidence that the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office would do everything in their power to see through this case to the very end after the hard work put into the investigation by the police service.

However, Nasheed had repeatedly flagged his concerns over the investigation, asking officials and ministers not to influence it. He called for mass arresting of people to find out the people who he alleged had financed the attack on him.

Surprisingly, Nasheed failed to record statements during the probe despite repeated attempts by police.