Maldives replaces defense minister in controversial weapons finding

The Maldives government has replaced its defense minister in a controversial step with police uncovering weapons from his residence, local media reported Wednesday.

The details of the raid, previously withheld, came just hours after Mohamed Nazim's dismissal and subsequent replacement by Major General (retired) Moosa Ali Jaleel. "We found dangerous weapons at his house," spokesman for Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan told reporters. "Nazim and some of his family members were questioned regarding the weapons but they failed to adequately respond to the questions. "

Following President Abdulla Yameen's decision to remove him from the cabinet, Nazim said the raid showed that no Maldivian could be considered safe or secure based on recent events. "This gives an alarming signal that entering any house, at any time and to do anything is possible. The defence minister is the most senior official standing beside the president," he said during a press conference.

Nazim went on to say that he intended to cooperate fully with police and had already provided statements, fingerprints, and DNA samples.

Superintendent Shifan told the media that the police had obtained a warrant from the Criminal Court after receiving reports that dangerous weapons were being kept in a Mal home. "A police tactical team was sent to the house on January 18, whereupon they went up to the eighth floor and searched two apartments."

Media speculation as to the specific weapons found in the apartment have varied considerably, with no such details revealed by police officers.

Shifan once again assured the press that officers had been unaware that the apartment belonged to the defense minister until they had forcefully entered the property, adding that best practices were maintained throughout the search. "The team did not know Nazim was present at or living at that apartment until after they arrived on the scene," said Shifan. "We would like to reiterate the fact that the police would not hesitate to search any house under a court warrant in order to ensure the safety of the general public."

Nazim also suggested that such a raid could not have happened without Maldives President Abdulla Yameen's knowledge, although President's Office Spokesman Ibrahim Muaz told local media outlet Minivan News earlier that the presidential approval was not required to investigate a cabinet minister. Endite