Stab attempt on President: Mundhu accuses National Unity Alliance

Presidential Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has accused the opposition National Unity Alliance on the unsuccessful stab attempt on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday morning at Haa Alif Hoarafushi.

A man identified as Mohamed Murshid, 20 years of Kinaaraa / Haa Alif Huvarafushi attempted to attack the President with a knife earlier yesterday. Murshid was among the large crowd gathered to welcome the President upon his arrival at Haa Alif Hoarafushi. The President escaped this serious attack without any harm as a 15 year old scout intervened.

In an interview given to Miadhu Daily yesterday, Mundhu said that there is a hand of the leaders of National Unity Alliance in this attempt. Mundhu questioned “Is this how those (National Unity Alliance) who left this island a few days ago depose President Gayoom by saying national unity? Should they do it by attacking him?”

But the spokesperson from the National Unity Alliance, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed has denied this accusation. In an interview given to Miadhu Daily, Dr. Shaheed said that National Unity Alliance was shocked to hear the stab attack on the President and said that he himself and the Alliance condemn this attack in strongest possible words.

Talking to people on phone via TV and Radio, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom also said that we should not attack one another and try to kill them even though we have differences in opinion. Speaking on this behalf the President said that “Our Political Parties also have to be more mature than that”.

But the spokesperson from the National Unity Alliance, Former Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed has denied this accusation. In an interview given to Miadhu Daily, Dr. Shaheed said that National Unity Alliance was shocked to hear the stab attack on the President and said that he himself and the Alliance condemn this attack in strongest possible words.

Dr. Shaheed who was annoyed by Mundhu’s accusation on the Alliance and said “We would file a court case against Mundhu if he says that this attempt was caused by us”