More than USD 100,000 and multiple foreign currencies stolen in VIA robbery

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has revealed that the robbery at Velana International Airport (VIA) last year involved more than USD 100,000, over JPY 300,000, and several other foreign currencies.

Eight individuals have now been charged in connection with the theft, which occurred while two Bank of Maldives (BML) employees were transporting cash inside the airport terminal. The PGO on Tuesday released the full breakdown of the stolen money and the charges filed.

According to prosecutors, the suitcase taken during the robbery contained:  

• 4,900 euros  

• 1,735 pounds  

• 2,610 Singapore dollars  

• 1,345 Australian dollars  

• 510 Swiss francs  

• 1,515 Canadian dollars  

• 334,000 Japanese yen  

• 10,420 Hong Kong dollars  

• 106,120 US dollars  

• 23,778 dirhams  

• 25,000 Indian rupees  

• 600 Chinese yuan

Police later recovered the suitcase.

Charges were filed:

Ahmed Mahid, Eheevaage/Th. Vilufushi  

• Robbery under Section 213 of the Penal Code (Act 9/2014)  

• Intimidating a person with a sharp object under Article 33 of the Prevention of Gang Crimes and Other Dangerous Crimes Act (Law 7/2025)  

• Possession of a sharp object in a public place without valid reason under Article 35 of the same Act  

Ali Afzal, Vashagulimaage/S. Hithadhoo  

• Robbery under Section 213 of the Penal Code  

• Participation in intimidating a person with a sharp object under Article 33 of Law 7/2025  

Abdul Awwal Ibrahim Abubakr, Binaa/G.A. Villingili  

• Participation in robbery under Section 213 and Article 30 of the Penal Code  

Hussain Shahud, Alhivilaage/K. Guraidhoo  

Mazin Moosa, Reysham/L. Maavah  

Ahmed Raihaan Naeem, M. Chorus/Male’ City  

Ibrahim Anoof, Alhivilaage/K. Guraidhoo  

Some charges were not individually specified in the PG office summary, but all are listed among the eight accused.

Ismail Siruhaan, Meezan/R. Maduvvari  

• Participation in robbery under Section 213 and Article 30 of the Penal Code  

The case relates to a high‑profile robbery in which masked individuals intercepted BML staff near Gate One of the airport terminal.