Maldives: Islamists behind May attacks

According to AP reporting on 26 July 2021, both former President Mohamed Nasheed and police investigators have found that Islamist groups were behind the bomb attack targeting him at his home in May 2021. Thomas Muller, persecution analyst at World Watch Research (WWR), gives some background information: "At first, it could not be ruled out that corrupt political forces were possibly behind the attack (see: WWR 25 May 2021). However, investigations have now unearthed a wider network of Islamists and brought more suspects to light (SATP, 2 August 2021). This is a reminder of the challenges that Islamic extremism is alive and kicking in the Maldives and may have been given a morale boost by the Taliban"s triumph in Afghanistan. It is definitely one reason why Christians in the island nation are keeping a low profile."