Maldives Home Minister Umar Naseer rejected claims Thursday that the second assassination attempt on the Maldives president which involves a Sri Lankan sniper is unfounded, and insisted that the case is very solid, the Haveeru online reported.
Confirming the arrest of the Sri Lankan sniper for the first time, police said in a statement in November that the 27-year-old man was arrested on October 24. He has been remanded by the Criminal Court.
Some Sri Lankan media outlets have, however, reported that the man was an importer of Maldives dry fish
In the latest blow to the case, police announced Sunday that three people arrested for allegedly hiring the Sri Lankan sniper have been released. A police spokesperson said the three men arrested on December 17 were released by the Criminal Court for lack of evidence.
Home minister Umar Naseer told reporters on Thursday that investigators have a very solid case concerning the sniper.
“Either way, it was an assassination attempt on the president,” he said. (haveeru)
-Agencies
