Police refute claims that fire was terrorist attack

Maldives police has denied ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ibrahim Muizzu’s claim that Friday night’s fire in the capital Male’ City was not a terrorist attack.

One woman, Aishath Shauna, 47, died in the fire while more than 400 people were displaced after fire at chemical warehouse destroyed six residential houses and four warehouses.

Muizzu, lawmaker for Henveiru north constituency, wrote in his Facebook page that Friday night’s fire was premeditated arson attack.

“The fire in Male’ was a planned and organized terrorist attack,” he said.

However Muizzu did not give any details of how he came to the conclusion that the fire was a terrorist attack.

Responding to Muizzu’s claims Maldives Police said their investigations have not uncovered evidence of a terrorist attack yet.

“Our investigation has not noticed anything that can link the fire to a terrorist attack. However we are looking at every angle, every possibility,” Superintendent of Police Hassan Shifan said at a press conference.

Meanwhile the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has called on security services to question Muizzu over his claims.

“A member from the ruling party will not say such a thing if there is nothing to it. The government should question him about it and find out the truth,” Adam Shareef, the former Defence Minister stated.

Shareef, who is the current MP for Maduhvaree constituency, also called on his fellow lawmaker Muizzu to reveal any information that he may have on the fire incident.