The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has filed charges against eight individuals in connection with the robbery of dollars and other foreign currency at Velana International Airport (VIA).
The brazen heist, which occurred on October 27 last year, involved two Bank of Maldives (BML) employees being threatened, and their suitcases seized as they were about to enter VIA’s new terminal.
The PGO announced today that charges have been brought against eight individuals concerning the incident. The majority of charges were filed against three specific individuals:
- Ali Afzal (Vashagulimaage, S. Hithadhoo)
- Ahmed Maahid (Eheevaage, Th. Vilufushi)
- Abdul’awwal Ibrahim Aboobakuru (Binaa, G.A. Vilingili)
Afzal and Maahid face charges of robbery and threatening with a sharp object. Abdul’awwal, on the other hand, has been charged with complicity in the robbery.
The remaining five individuals involved in the case have also been charged with various forms of complicity in the robbery. They are:
- Hussain Shahud (Alhivilaage, K. Guraidhoo)
- Maazin Moosa (Raisham, L. Maavah)
- Ahmed Raihan Naeem (M. Chorus)
- Ibrahim Anoof (Alhivilaage, K. Guraidhoo)
- Ismail Siruhan (Meezaan, R. Maduvvari)
The stolen suitcases contained USD 106,120 along with a substantial amount of other foreign currencies. The PGO has also requested the court to order the defendants to pay restitution for the damages incurred by the Bank of Maldives.
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