2015 Finifenmaa boat explosion

Explosion of presidential speedboat in Maldives 2015 Finifenmaa boat explosion Izzudheen Faalan, Henveiru, Malé, Maldives 2015 09 28 yes yes Abdulla Yameen 4 10 46.6352 N 73 30 40.7844 E region:MV it Bombing Improvised explosive device 0 3 7 2 * Ahmed Fayaz: Nulled Moosa Zameer: Guilty (4 months and 24 days) Ahmed Thiham: Guilty (4 months and 24 days) Ahmed Adeeb: Overturned * Thiham: Obstructing justice Zameer: Obstructing justice * Ahmed Adeeb: Treason, terrorism, and abuse of authority Hassan Rikaz: Terrorism Ahmed Amir: Terrorism Ahmed Fayaz: Obstructing justice and law enforcement officers Ahmed Thiham: Obstructing justice Moosa Zameer: Obstructing justice Location of the attack in Malé 17 On 28 September 2015, an explosion occurred on the Maldivian presidential speedboat 'Finifenmaa', which was carrying President Abdulla Yameen, First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, and other government officials from his administration. The boat was carrying them from Hulhulé to the Izzuddeen Faalan (presidential jetty) in Malé.Rasheed Zaheena 28 September 2015 Explosion on president's speedboat, President Yameen unharmed https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/explosion-on-president-yameens-speedboat-117675 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 7 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190307235305/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/explosion-on-president-yameens-speedboat-117675 live Yameen escaped unhurt but first lady Fathimath Ibrahim, a presidential aide, and a bodyguard was injured. This explosion was labelled as an assassination attempt on Yameen but has been widely disputed.Mohamed Rehan 28 August 2024 Speaker questions authenticity of Yameen's assassination attempt https://en.sun.mv/91589 17 October 2025 Sun 20 September 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250920190049/https://en.sun.mv/91589 live Explosion and casualties As the boat was nearing to dock at the Izzuddeen Faalan, a loud explosion occurred on the boat. The explosion caused the speedboat's housing to fall in, and the door to break off. First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, a presidential aide, and Yameen's bodyguard were injured during the explosion and underwent treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. Ibrahim suffered minor bone fractures and remained hospitalized.28 September 2015 First lady sustained minor bone fractures in speedboat blast https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/first-lady-sustained-minor-bone-fractures-in-speedboat-blast-117716 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 23 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260123082400/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/first-lady-sustained-minor-bone-fractures-in-speedboat-blast-117716 live She was released from the hospital a month after the incident along with the presidential aide and bodyguard.6 November 2015 First Lady discharged from hospital https://en.sun.mv/34435 17 October 2025 Sun 7 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260107040546/https://en.sun.mv/34435 live Investigation On 28 September 2016, Mohamed Hussain Shareef told reporters in Colombo that the probable cause of the blast was a mechanical issue.2 October 2016 Maldives: Govt rules out 'assassination plot' behind presidential boat-blast https://www.orfonline.org/research/maldives-govt-rules-out-assassination-plot-behind-presidential-boat-blast 17 October 2025 Observer Research Foundation 12 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251012132425/https://www.orfonline.org/research/maldives-govt-rules-out-assassination-plot-behind-presidential-boat-blast live On the same day, Yameen called for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Australian Federal Police for assistance regarding the case.Naish Ahmed 26 September 2025 Police seeking FBI assistance to investigate explosion on president's speedboat https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/police-seeking-fbi-assistance-to-investigate-explosion-on-presidents-speedboat-117694 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 13 September 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250913074417/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/police-seeking-fbi-assistance-to-investigate-explosion-on-presidents-speedboat-117694 live A day after, an FBI agent and a team of Saudi Arabian forensic experts arrived in the Maldives.29 September 2015 FBI agent, Saudi Arabian forensic experts arrive in Malé for boat blast probe https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/fbi-agent-saudi-arabian-forensic-experts-arrive-in-male-in-boat-blast-probe-117731 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 16 September 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250916232316/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/fbi-agent-saudi-arabian-forensic-experts-arrive-in-male-in-boat-blast-probe-117731 live A team of forensic experts from the Western Australia Police Force and from India and Sri Lanka also came to investigate. They all left a week later, their findings not being made public.18 October 2015 The explosion on Yameen's speedboat: What we know so far https://maldivesindependent.com/feature-comment/the-explosion-on-yameens-speedboat-what-we-know-so-far-118537 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 21 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190421021857/https://maldivesindependent.com/feature-comment/the-explosion-on-yameens-speedboat-what-we-know-so-far-118537 live An "advisory committee" was formed by Yameen, later turning into an inquiry committee into the explosion.29 September 2015 President forms advisory committee after speedboat blast https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/president-forms-advisory-committee-after-speedboat-blast-117788 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent The committee was being led by Yameen and Home Minister Umar Naseer. Raajje TV cited an anonymous source which said that the explosion was caused due to the pressure accumulating in the boat's air conditioning.Moosa Hussain Fiyaz 29 September 2016 ރައީސްގެ ލޯންޗްކޮޅުގައި ގޮވީ އެއާކޯންގެ ގޭސް ހޮޅިއެއް: އެމްއެންޑީއެފްގެ އޮފިސަރެއް President's launch exploded because of AC gas pipe: MNDF Officer https://raajje.mv/49002 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160601185840/https://raajje.mv/49002 1 June 2016 Raajje TV dv In October, Ahmed Thiham, Moosa Zameer, and Mohamed Jawaz from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) were arrested in connection to the incident.6 October 2015 Three soldiers arrested in sign of foul play in boat blast https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/two-soldiers-arrested-in-first-sign-of-foul-play-in-boat-blast-118025 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 20 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260120161359/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/two-soldiers-arrested-in-first-sign-of-foul-play-in-boat-blast-118025 live Shareef told Reuters that the blast was an assassination attempt and a press conference was called by the President's Office where the president’s spokesman also called it an assassination attempt.7 October 2015 Blast on president's speedboat an 'assassination attempt,' video shows fire inside cabin https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/blast-on-presidents-speedboat-an-assassination-attempt-video-shows-fire-inside-cabin-118048 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 6 September 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250906132609/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/blast-on-presidents-speedboat-an-assassination-attempt-video-shows-fire-inside-cabin-118048 live Colonel Ahmed Fayaz was transferred from the head of the Special Protection Group to Malé Area Command and was being held at Bandaara Koshi (MNDF headquarters).17 October 2015 Top military officers detained in boat blast probe https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/top-military-officers-detained-in-boat-blast-probe-118475 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 13 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251013065904/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/top-military-officers-detained-in-boat-blast-probe-118475 live Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor was arrested at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in connection to the explosion and was placed under police custody.Bosley Daniel 24 October 2015 Maldives vice president arrested in probe of explosion targeting president https://www.reuters.com/article/world/maldives-vice-president-arrested-in-probe-of-explosion-targeting-president-idUSKCN0SI054/ 17 October 2025 Reuters24 October 2015 Vice President Adheeb under police custody – Maldives' Government https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/16033 17 October 2025 The President's Office 7 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260107040604/https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/16033 live Ghafoor was later taken to Dhoonidhoo's detention center.24 October 2025 Maldives Vice President arrested, charged with high treason https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/maldives-vice-president-arrested-118825 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 10 November 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251110130508/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/maldives-vice-president-arrested-118825 live Yameen called Ghafoor a threat to national security and accused him of using his influence within the Maldives Police Service to destroy evidence of the boat explosion.25 October 2015 Maldives president: VP a threat to national security https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/25/maldives-president-vp-a-threat-to-national-security/ 17 October 2025 Al Jazeera English 12 December 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251212201349/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/25/maldives-president-vp-a-threat-to-national-security live Ghafoor was later charged with treason. Forensic experts from Saudi Arabia found traces of RDX on the Finifenmaa boat.30 October 2025 Saudi experts found trace of explosives on president's speedboat https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/saudi-experts-found-trace-of-explosives-on-presidents-speedboat-119093 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 20 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260120142923/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/saudi-experts-found-trace-of-explosives-on-presidents-speedboat-119093 live Meanwhile a day later, the FBI said that there is no evidence that the explosion was a bomb.1 November 2015 FBI: No evidence that Maldives explosion was a bomb https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/1/fbi-no-evidence-that-maldives-explosion-was-a-bomb 17 October 2025 Al Jazeera English 19 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250819210116/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/1/fbi-no-evidence-that-maldives-explosion-was-a-bomb live In December, Fayaz's lawyer challenged his administrative detention at the military headquarters and sought an order declaring his detention illegal and arbitrary.10 December 2015 Colonel detained over boat blast challenges administrative detention https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/colonel-detained-for-boat-blast-probe-challenges-administrative-detention-120553 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 7 September 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250907074122/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/colonel-detained-for-boat-blast-probe-challenges-administrative-detention-120553 live Ghafoor's lawyers claimed that he was no longer being held in custody due to the boat explosion, which the police later denied.27 December 2015 Former vice president "cleared" of boat blast allegations https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/former-vice-president-cleared-of-boat-blast-allegations-120984 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 22 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250622110023/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/former-vice-president-cleared-of-boat-blast-allegations-120984 live 28 December 2015 Police deny clearing former vice president of attempted murder charges https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/police-deny-clearing-former-vice-president-of-attempted-murder-charges-121003 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 5 September 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250905160622/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/police-deny-clearing-former-vice-president-of-attempted-murder-charges-121003 live In January 2016, Ghafoor's bodyguard was arrested in connection to the boat explosion.19 January 2016 Adeeb's military bodyguard arrested in boat blast probe https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/adeebs-military-bodyguard-arrested-in-boat-blast-probe-121562 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent In March, Ghafoor and his bodyguards, Hassan Rikaz and Ahmed Amir, were charged with terrorism and Ghafoor was additionally charged with abuse of authority.15 March 2016 Adeeb, five soldiers charged over boat blast https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/adeeb-five-soldiers-charged-over-boat-blast-122814 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent Fayaz was charged obstructing justice and law enforcement officers, Thiham and Zameer were charged with obstructing justice. Rikaz and Amir pleaded not guilty along with three other soldiers during the first trial.30 March 2016 Trials begin for boat blast suspects https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/trials-begin-for-boat-blast-suspects-123142 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 10 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251010205935/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/trials-begin-for-boat-blast-suspects-123142 live In May, evidence was submitted to the Criminal Court to prove Ghafoor planned to flee after the boat blast.28 May 2016 Evidence submitted to prove Adeeb planned to flee after boat blast https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/evidence-submitted-to-prove-adeeb-planned-to-flee-after-boat-blast-124443 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 7 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260107091256/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/evidence-submitted-to-prove-adeeb-planned-to-flee-after-boat-blast-124443 live In June, Fayaz was sentenced two years along with additional three months and eighteen days on a charge of obstructing law enforcement officers, Zameer and Thiham were sentenced to four months and twenty four days.20 June 2016 Three more soldiers jailed over boat blast https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/three-more-soldiers-jailed-over-boat-blast-124894 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 14 December 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251214193030/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/three-more-soldiers-jailed-over-boat-blast-124894 live Zameer and Thiham were later released.25 June 2016 Soldiers convicted of evidence-tampering in boat blast freed https://maldivesindependent.com/crime-2/soldiers-convicted-of-evidence-tampering-in-boat-blast-freed-125036 17 October 2025 Maldives Independent 17 May 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250517125531/https://maldivesindependent.com/crime-2/soldiers-convicted-of-evidence-tampering-in-boat-blast-freed-125036 live Jawaz was given immunity and witness protection by the Prosecutor General's Office after he testified saying he made two bombs for Ghafoor.15 June 2016 'Bomb maker' granted witness protection, say local media https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/bomb-maker-granted-witness-protection-say-local-media-124837 live https://web.archive.org/web/20251204212321/https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/bomb-maker-granted-witness-protection-say-local-media-124837 4 December 2025 8 September 2026 Maldives Independent In May 2019, the High Court overturned the Criminal Court's 15 year sentence against Ghafoor and ordered retrial.20 May 2019 High Court overturns ruling against Adeeb in Finifenma explosion, orders a retrial https://en.sun.mv/53715 17 October 2025 Sun 15 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250815155512/https://en.sun.mv/53715 live In July, the High Court nullified the charges against Fayaz.24 July 2019 High Court nullifies former Colonel Fayaz's charges https://edition.mv/news/11666 live https://web.archive.org/web/20220426010354/https://edition.mv/news/11666 26 April 2022 17 October 2025 The Edition See also Maldivian presidential assassination attempts References External links A video of the explosion Category:2015 in the Maldives Category:Political history of the Maldives Category:Failed assassination attempts in Asia Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in Asia Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in 2015 Category:September 2015 crimes in Asia Category:Terrorist incidents in the Maldives Category:Ship bombings Category:Terrorist incidents in Asia in 2015