VP: Grain sugar was poured into the engine of the Presidential Launch last year

Vice President Ahmed Adheeb has said that grain sugar was poured into the engine of the Presidential launch last year.

Speaking at the press conference at the PPM office today condemning the explosion on the Presidential launch, Vuce President Adheeb said that this was not the first attempt to damage President Yamin’s launch and last year, it was discovered that grain sugar was poured into the engine when the engine was overhauled after stalling.

“This is not new; (grain) sugar was also poured to President Yamin’s launch previously. Different things like this happening confirms that we from the Government and the Maldivian state and defense departments have to be more cautious, take more precaution in protecting President Yamin and the defense departments are taking steps to check the things that need to be checked and taking steps.” Vice President Adheeb said.

The Vice President said that he trusts the MNDF security and after the explosion on the President’s launch, it has been taken directly into their custody.

The explosion on board the Presidential launch took place on 28 September when it was closing in to the Izzuddin jetty coming from Hulhulé after the President and the First Lady returned to the country after the Hajj Pilgrim.

Minister of the Preisdent’s Office, Mohamed Hussain Shareef Mundhu has said that the information from the investigative teams so far shows that this was clearly a planned attempt to assassinate the President.

Three people, all from MNDF have been arrested in the investigation of the explosion.

Criminal Court added 15 days to their remand yesterday.