Maldives to brief diplomats on arrest of vice president

The Maldives government will brief the diplomatic community on the arrest of Maldives Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor, a spokesperson at the Maldives high commission in Sri Lanka said on Wednesday.

Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon will travel to Sri Lanka on Thursday to brief the diplomats based in Colombo and affiliated to the Maldives, Xinhua quoted the spokesperson as saying.

Maumoon is also scheduled to brief Sri Lankan media on the latest developments following the arrest of the vice president.

The Maldivian government said the police service had arrested Adeeb recently under a court warrant in connection with the investigation into a bomb blast last month on the president's speedboat.

The blast took place on September 28 when President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his wife were returning to capital Male from a nearby island where the Maldivian international airport is located. The couple arrived there from Saudi Arabia after the Haj.

Gayoom escaped unhurt but his wife Fatimath suffered minor injuries.

With the evidence of investigation which links the vice president to the attack, the government and agencies acted decisively, Maumoon said.

She said the administration is determined to ensure that the investigation and any subsequent actions are conducted swiftly and with complete transparency.

The foreign minister also assured that the president remains unwavering in his commitment to lead a strong, unified government that will continue to meet the serious challenges facing the people of the Maldives.