Man arrested for ‘taking part’ in fatal stabbing

A 23-year-old has been arrested for “physically taking part” in the murder of a man in Hulhumalé, police said Sunday, but they refused to comment on whether they were looking for anyone else who might have been involved.

Haris Abdul Gafoor from the island of Dhaandhoo in Gaaf Alif atoll was pronounced dead at the Hulhumalé hospital on Friday night after being stabbed eight times.

A police spokesman confirmed the arrest, but refused to elaborate.

Eyewitnesses told Raaje TV station that 25-year-old Haris was stabbed by two assailants on a motorbike.

Also on Friday, a 23-year-old man was stabbed in a gang fight near parliament in Malé. He is undergoing hospital treatment.

According to newspaper Mihaaru, the Malé attack was in retaliation for the murder of a 19-year-old in September.

Police on Sunday also confirmed to the Maldives Independent that they were seeking court orders to electronically tag, conduct surveillance, and intercept communications of nine people in relation to the recent spike in gang violence.

Under the 2015 Anti-Terrorism Act, police need permission from the High Court before tagging people.

Those tagged will be required to stay at home between 10:00pm and 6:00am and cannot leave the capital without the home minister’s permission.

The police are also authorised to control their financial transactions.