One of the suspects arrested concerning the assassination attempt on Speaker and former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has been released from police custody.

Police on Saturday confirmed Ahmed Fathih's release to RaajjeMV, due to the Prosecutor General (PG) Office's decision not to press charges against him.

While police had forwarded Fathih's case, along with four others for prosecution, Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem at a press conference last Tuesday revealed the decision to not press charges against him citing insufficient evidence.

Ahmed Fathih, who was arrested in B. Dharavandhoo back in May, had previously worked in the police intelligence.

Charges have been raised against four suspects; Mujaz Ahmed, Thahmeen Ahmed, Ali Haisham and Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed who have signed a plea deal with the state for a reduced 23-year sentence. A total of 10 arrests have been made, after the May 6 attack. The remaining investigation has been extended until August 20.

A team from the Australian Federal Police along with American experts are in the Maldives to assist in the investigation.

Former President Nasheed was the target of an IED attack in Maldives' congested capital on May 6. He sustained near-fatal injuries in the blast and underwent 16 hours of "life-saving" surgery at ADK Hospital.

Investigators have since said that the attackers supported extremist ideologies and had considered Nasheed to be an "infidel" and had intended to kill him.

(SAM)