Suspect in assault on Male’ mayor has a record for stabbing

The man arrested on suspicion of assaulting Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim on Friday has been revealed to have a record for assault using knives.

The assault on Azim took place as he marched with a crowd of protestors from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) along a road in Male’ on Friday night.

Abdulla Muaz, 35, G. Eerie, K. Male’, was arrested on Sunday. The Criminal Court remanded him in custody of the police for 15 days on Monday.

Documents show that Muaz has a prior arrest record for a stabbing that took place at a flat in 2012. He was among multiple people arrested in the case.

The protest where the incident took place had been broadcasted live by TV channels. Video footage shows a young man approaching Azim as he marched along with other protestors, and shoving him back.

Other protestors quickly intervened and were seen kicking and shoving him back.

Azim characterized the incident as an attack orchestrated by the government. He also went to the hospital following the incident.

However, Azim’s allegation is denied by the government.

Meanwhile, Muaz claimed during his remand hearing that he had only approached Azim to talk to him, and that it was the protestors who assaulted him.