Sniper remand extended for 13th time

Remand for Sri Lankan sniper allegedly hired by some Maldivians to assassinate Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has been extended for the 13th time.

Police media official spoke to “Sun” on Tuesday and said that remand period for the Sri Lankan man – Lahiru Madushaka - had been extended for the 13th time. And that the remand period would be up for review again on Friday.

The three Maldivian men arrested for allegedly hiring Lahiru.

Home Minister Umar Naseer – who is also co-chair of National Inquiry Commission – said that claims Lahiru was a man who came to Maldives to buy dried fish to sell it back home was not true.

He said that police had a very strong case against the man.

Meanwhile, Lahiru’s family has expressed concern over his arrest, claiming that he just went to Maldives on business.

Maldivian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Zahiya Zareer has said that the Maldivian government had shared detailed information with Sri Lankan government regarding the case; while Legal Affairs Minister for President’s Office, Aishath Azima Shukoor said that Lahiru was being kept under arrest because police had strong evidence against him.

Lahiru’s arrest came at a time of turmoil within the country, with the explosion onboard presidential speedboat – Finifenma, bomb threats in Male' City and the discovery of weapons found in the lagoon of B. Hibalhidhoo – an island being developed as a tourist resort.

Home Minister Umar said that there was a link between explosives used onboard Finifenma and the weapons found from Hibalhidhoo. And that the weapons found was being investigated within the Finifenma case.