Maldives' vice-prez denies role in boat 'assassination bid'

Amid reports that the explosion aboard a speedboat carrying Maldivian President Abudullah Yameen was an assassination attempt, his deputy today denied any involvement as three officials were arrested in the probe, assisted by international investigators including from India.
Yameen escaped unhurt while his wife suffered minor injuries as they were returning to Male after performing Hajj. Two others were also injured in the September 28 incident.
Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor, who met reporters for the first time since the explosion, said he would regret his absence that day to greet the president on his return to the country that fuelled accusations of him orchestrating the explosion.

"There's no need for a search warrant on my residence. It's open (for investigators) even now," Adheeb said at a press conference at the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) headquarters here.
Pledging his loyalty to 56-year-old President Yameen, he said he was ready to face any questions should the need arise during the ongoing investigation into the explosion led by a local enquiry commission. The probe, which is assisted by international experts, is independent, he was quoted as saying by the HaveeruOnline.
Media reports also cited the minister at President's office, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, as saying that the explosion was an assassination attempt.

He added that two military officials have been arrested in connection with the incident in which a video clip broadcast today by the president's office showed fire inside cabin.

The two soldiers, who The Maldives Independent identified as Ahmed Thiham and Moosa Zameer, had access to the state armory. A third man named Mohamed Javaaz, who works at the department of immigration, was also arrested.
Shareef cited findings of international investigators that include those from India that there is enough evidence to believe it is likely to have been an attempt on the president's life.
However, a senior official at the Maldivian Embassy in New Delhi said they have not received any formal statement on the same from the Foreign Ministry.

The brief clip released today shows footage of 'Finifenmaa' entering Male's harbour. Just as it was about to dock, a loud blast was heard, with flames seen inside the boat for a brief moment. The boat's door also fell off its hinges spewing out black smoke.
Another media report citing sources said that an explosive device had been planted under the helmsman's seat inside the boat's cabin but that the explosion was not an assassination attempt but a warning.