Vice-president Ahmed Adeeb was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 24, in connection with the attempted assassination of President Yameen Abdul Gyaoom last month.

Adeeb was arrested at the airport upon his arrival from China. He was arrested “on suspicion of involvement in the boat blast,” police spokesman Ismail Ali told AP. Along with Adeeb, three soldiers, including a member of the army’s bomb squad, and a former member of the vice president's security team were also arrested, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Abdullah Nawaz.

Gayoom’s boat exploded on his way back to Male after a hajj visit in Saudi Arabia. He survived the attack, but his wife and aides were injured. The authorities initially said the explosion could have been a result of mechanical failure. However, after further investigation, it was found that the explosion was an attempt to assassinate the president.

An explosive device was planted on the seat usually occupied by the president. Gayoom managed to survive because he was not sitting there, according to a statement from the government.

Gayoom has been in office since 2013, while Adeeb assumed the vice president position in July at age 33. The president and other lawmakers were instrumental in putting Adeeb into office as the minimum age for the vice president post was lowered from 35 to 30 years old. The president and the Parliament were also responsible in impeaching previous Vice President Mohamed Jameel.

In the Maldivian constitution, if the president dies, is incapacitated or resigns, the vice president shall be his or her successor.

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