Maldivian presidential assassination attempts
Maldivian presidential assassination attempts |
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Maldivian presidential assassination attempts have been numerous, ranging from the early twentieth century since the establishment of the first republic of the Maldives. In 1980, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was first Maldivian president to experience an assassination attempt, when three attempts to overthrow Maumoon's government and assassinate the president.
Three presidents have been attempted assassination; Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (1980, 1983, 1988, 2008). President Maumoon escaped unharmed from an assassination attempt at Hoarafushi. Mohamed Murshid, a twenty-year-old man from the island, attempted to stab him with a knife concealed in a Maldivian Flag. Former president, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom escaped a blast, planned by vice president, Ahmed Adheeb. President Nasheed was hurt from a bomb attack near his private residence, Galolhu Kenereege. First president, Mohamed Amin Didi was banished to Dhoonidhoo, causing him to death.
Attempts to assassinate Maldivian presidents have been largely unsuccessful, despite occasional incidents targeting them. After attempts, Some are arrested and rushed to jails, and others, many people, are free – in some cases due to failure to convict in court or they are active as free citizens because there is not sufficient evidence against them
Presidents assassinated
Mohamed Amin
The citizens of Malé appointed Velaanaagey Ibrahim Didi, President Mohamed Amin Didi's vice president, as the head of government of the newly established republic in 1953. Despite warnings to stay away, Amin Didi returned to the Maldives aboard a Catalina aircraft. Upon his arrival, for his own protection, he was escorted to Dhoonidhoo island, where he was placed under government supervision, albeit with the dignity befitting a former head of state.[1]
After spending four months on Dhoonidhoo, clandestine correspondence between Amin Didi and Ibrahim Hilmy Didi surfaced, proposing to overthrow the revolutionary government and reinstate the monarchy, with Ibrahim Hilmy as king and Amin as prime minister. In a daring move, Amin Didi attempted to seize control of Bandeyrige one night in Malé, provoking such fury among the populace that he narrowly escaped being lynched. Subsequently, he was cast adrift in a small boat near Malé.[2][a]
In the aftermath, Amin Didi, Ibrahim Hilmy Didi, and Shamsuddin Hilmy, among others, were brought to trial for their roles in the rebellion. They were ultimately sentenced to exile: Mohamed Amin to Kaafu Atoll, Gaafaru; Ibrahim Hilmy to K. Gulhi; and Shamsuddin Hilmy to K. Himmafushi.
As Amin Didi's health declined, he was transferred to Vihamanaafushi Island where he passed away on January 19, 1954. A modest funeral was conducted in his honor.
Wounded presidents and attempts
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
On 8 January 2008, then—president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was visiting to Hoarafushi in Haa Alif Atoll.[3] Mohamed Murshid, a man aged twenty hailing from the island, made an attempt to stab then—president of the Maldives and Asia's longest serving president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom using a knife concealed within a Maldives flag.[4] However, his effort was thwarted when Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim, a sixteen—year—old boy scout from Kudahuvadhoo island, intervened, blocking the attack with his own hands.[5] Unfortunately, Jaisham sustained injuries during his courageous act and required medical treatment. He was later treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.[6][7] Reportedly, attacker, Murshid tried to Stab the president's stomach.[8]
Aftermath, addressing the people of Hoarafushi, President Gayoom expressed his regrets over injuries sustained by Jaisham in the incident and said;
By the grace of Almighty Allah, I am well and safe, but severe injuries have been inflicted on to brave young man of this island, that is Mohamed Jaisham, he is a very person, a true hero, I sincerely thank him and his family and I pray to Almighty Allah to grant him speedy recovery.
Further, he said "I would like to assure the people of Maldives, that by the grace of Almighty Allah, that I will remain steadfast in the service of the people, my resolve will not be deterred by such acts, I will continue to discharge the responsibilities the people of the country entrusted me with and I would like assure all that if I am elected again to serve as the President that I will continue to work for the people in the resolve".[9]
After the assault, Murushid was apprehended and later convicted to a twelve-year term for perpetrating a premeditated attack on an incumbent president, along with an additional year for attempting violence with a sharp object.[10]
References
- ^ "The Maldives, The Netherlands: Amen for Amin". Time, USA.
- ^ Lentz, Harris M. (4 February 2014). Heads of States and Governments Since 1945. Routledge. pp. 535–536. ISBN 978-1134264902. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
- ^ James, Orr (8 January 2008). "Boy foils attack on Maldives president". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had been shaking hands with supporters on the island of Hoarafushi when a man leapt from the crowd with a kitchen knife.
- ^ "Boy scout saves Gayoom from assassination". The Daily Star. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
Officials said a 20-year-old unemployed man tried to plunge a knife into Gayoom's stomach, but that Asia's longest serving president was unhurt thanks to a boy scout who wrestled with the attacker before he was detained. "The president was greeting people when a young boy pulled out a knife and tried to stab him in the stomach," Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed said by telephone from the island capital of Male.
- ^ "Scout saves Maldives President from assassination". World Organization of the Scout Movement. 1 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Boy scout saves Maldives president from assassination". Agence France-Presse. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
- ^ "The President thanks the Close Protection Team of Maldives National Defence Force for their aid in saving him from yesterday's attack at Hoarafushi". The President's Office. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008.
- ^ "Boy Scout Thwarts Assassination Attempt". CBS News. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ a b "Jaisham a national hero – President". Blogspot. Velidhoo News. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Rasheed, Lujine (18 September 2018). "No qualms about mitigating sentence for attacker: ex-pres Gayoom". The Edition. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
External links
Further reading
Notes
- ^ Some People argue that they banished Amin Didi in porpouse of Killing him.