Three people have been arrested over a recent assassination plot on the Maldives president that involved a sniper brought into Maldives from Sri Lanka, Maldives police announced Sunday.

Confirming the arrest of the Sri Lankan sniper for the first time, police said in a statement early last month that the 27-year-old man was arrested on October 24. He has been remanded by the Criminal Court.

Reports of the Sri Lankan sniper’s arrest came a day after Maldivian security forces confiscated assault rifles and hand guns in what has been the biggest weapons bust in the country’s history. The weapons had been seized from Hibilhadhoo island in Baa Atoll being developed as a resort.

The army had confirmed that two assault rifles found in the weapons bust belonged to the state armoury.

The items showcased during a press conference included several hand guns, a T56 assault rifle and a MP5 sub-machine gun. In addition, a large quantity of bomb making material were also displayed at the press briefing.

Maldives declared a month-long state of emergency last month after the discovery of a bomb near the presidential palace. The state of emergency was, however, later cut short after a week.

Maldives military had confirmed that the suspected device found in a vehicle parked near the presidential residence of Muliaage in capital Male was an improvised explosive device which had been subsequently been diffused. (Haveeru)

-Agencies