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1st LD writethru: Maldivian Police arrest VP over alleged plot to assassinate president

Xinhua, October 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Maldives Vice President Ahmed Adheeb was arrested by the Maldivian police on Saturday on charges of 'high treason' over his alleged involvement in a blast on a presidential yacht carrying the president last month.

Adheeb was arrested upon his arrival at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on Saturday morning after mounting rumors that he had gone into exile.

Home Minister Umar Naseer in a twitter message confirmed the arrest and said that Adheeb had been taken to the police detention center in Dhoonidhoo.

"Charges: High Treason," his second tweet read.

According to local media reports, police officers were seen accompanying the vice president as he exited the plane.

The Maldives police in a tweet said that Adheeb had been arrested under a warrant for the investigation into the blast on the presidential speedboat.

Meanwhile security was beefed up in and around capital Male on Saturday as a tense situation arose amongst Adheeb's followers following the vice president's arrest.

His supporters had been asked to gather at the official jetty in capital Male to welcome him, but police had cordoned off the entire area.

Some high-profile supporters of the vice president, including former Jumhoory Party (JP) youth wing president Moosa Anwar and former coordinator at the youth ministry Ali 'Steps Ayya Shahid, were taken into custody for defying orders.

Local media reports said that by early morning Saturday, lorries loaded with policemen and soldiers were seen on nearly every street in Male. "Unlike previous lockdowns, pedestrians were not even allowed to enter the high security zone, commonly called the Green Zone," the reports said.

Adheeb was a one time close aide of President Yameen but after the explosion on Sept. 28, he had been sidelined and probed for his suspected involvement.

The President escaped unhurt in the explosion, but the first lady and two other security officials sustained serious injuries when the blast ripped through part of the president yacht.

The president and first lady had arrived at the main international airport after completing the Hajj pilgrimage and were on their way to Male when the explosion occurred.

The injured, including the first lady, had been rushed to hospital. The first lady remains in the hospital.

International investigators called in to probe the blast said that the explosion was likely an attempt to assassinate the president. Enditem