Thursday 12 Mar 2026
Men arrested over USD robbery at VIA.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has initiated legal proceedings against eight individuals following a significant robbery at Velana International Airport that occurred last year. The incident involved the theft of a suitcase containing a diverse cache of foreign currencies, including over USD 100,000, Japanese yen, and various other international denominations, from Bank of Maldives employees. While authorities successfully recovered the stolen property, the legal response has been comprehensive, with charges ranging from robbery to the illegal possession of weapons in a public space. Judicial processes are now underway to hold the identified suspects accountable for their roles in this airport terminal security breach.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has revealed that the robbery at Velana International Airport (VIA) last year involved more than USD 100,000, over JPY 300,000, and several other foreign currencies.
Eight individuals have now been charged in connection with the theft, which occurred while two Bank of Maldives (BML) employees were transporting cash inside the airport terminal. The PGO on Tuesday released the full breakdown of the stolen money and the charges filed.
According to prosecutors, the suitcase taken during the robbery contained:
4,900 euros
1,735 pounds
2,610 Singapore dollars
1,345 Australian dollars
510 Swiss francs
1,515 Canadian dollars
334,000 Japanese yen
10,420 Hong Kong dollars
106,120 US dollars
23,778 dirhams
25,000 Indian rupees
600 Chinese yuan
Police later recovered the suitcase.
Charges were filed:
Ahmed Mahid, Eheevaage/Th. Vilufushi
Robbery under Section 213 of the Penal Code (Act 9/2014)
Intimidating a person with a sharp object under Article 33 of the Prevention of Gang Crimes and Other Dangerous Crimes Act (Law 7/2025)
Possession of a sharp object in a public place without valid reason under Article 35 of the same Act
Ali Afzal, Vashagulimaage/S. Hithadhoo
Robbery under Section 213 of the Penal Code
Participation in intimidating a person with a sharp object under Article 33 of Law 7/2025
Abdul Awwal Ibrahim Abubakr, Binaa/G.A. Villingili
Participation in robbery under Section 213 and Article 30 of the Penal Code
Hussain Shahud, Alhivilaage/K. Guraidhoo
Mazin Moosa, Reysham/L. Maavah
Ahmed Raihaan Naeem, M. Chorus/Male’ City
Ibrahim Anoof, Alhivilaage/K. Guraidhoo
Some charges were not individually specified in the PG office summary, but all are listed among the eight accused.
Ismail Siruhaan, Meezan/R. Maduvvari
Participation in robbery under Section 213 and Article 30 of the Penal Code
The case relates to a high‑profile robbery in which masked individuals intercepted BML staff near Gate One of the airport terminal.
