| Submit your comments on this article |
| India-Pakistan |
| Dissidents blamed for Maldives bombing |
| 2007-10-01 |
| Two people have been arrested for a bombing that injured 12 foreigners in the Maldives, officials said, as the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago blamed dissidents for the attack. The bombing in an area of the capital Male popular with holiday-makers has damaged the nation’s reputation as one of the world’s safest destinations. “This is the first time that we have suffered such a terrorist attack in the Maldives and in Male,” said President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has ruled the islands since 1978 and is Asia’s longest serving leader. He blamed “very selfish and irresponsible... people who for political reasons have been calling for the boycott of the Maldives on the tourism front.” “They have been calling on tour operators to boycott the Maldives. They also have to share some responsibility for what happened today because they have been jeopardising the stability and peace of the country,” he added. No group has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack, which police said was a crude device activated by a mobile phone. Officials said two Japanese and eight Chinese nationals who were hurt in the blast have been discharged, while a British honeymoon couple were still in hospital. Officials said two Maldivians from a local blacksmith’s shop had been arrested. They can be held for up three weeks before being presented to a judge. |
| Posted by:Fred |