CP: Highspeed crash that injured policeman was ‘targeted’; four apprehended

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed says the highspeed motorcycle crash that seriously injured a police officer on patrol at the Hulhumale’ Highway on Saturday was a deliberate act to disrupt the police crackdown on reckless driving, adding that four people have been taken into custody in connection to the incident.

According to the initial statement by a police spokesperson, the accident took place at around 04:29 am Saturday, when a motorcyclist who was speeding as he headed from Male’ to Hulhumale’ lost control of the vehicle and hit a group of police officers at a vehicle checkpoint on the highway. One of the police officers sustained serious injuries and was taken to the ADK Hospital in Male’.

CP Ahmed Mohamed has issued a statement condemning the incident, describing it as a deliberate act to disrupt the ongoing crackdown on reckless driving and mentally weaken the resolve of police officers involved in the operation.

“The findings so far indicate this was a deliberate act to disrupt the ongoing police special operation targeting reckless driving and to mentally weaken an intimidate the police officers involved in this,” he said.

CP Ahmed Mohamed said the accident resulted in major injuries to the policeman, including a split lip and broken teeth.

According to the CP, the motorcyclist involved in the crash was driving well over the speed limit at over 100 kilometers per hour, directly towards the police officers at the checkpoint. He said that the motorcyclist deliberately crashed into the barricade, and hit one of the officers.

He added that preliminary investigative findings show there were also three other motorcycles involved in the incident.

The police have taken four people into custody in connection to the case; two people on the motorcycle involved in the crash, and two on a second motorcycle believed to be involved which the police later located.

Both vehicles have also been towed by the police.

CP Ahmed Mohamed said the police refuse to be intimidated in face of targeted mental and physical attacks and remain resolute in executing their duty to take legal action against people involved in reckless driving and inciting fear among the general public, and in ensuring the safety and security of the people.

He added that the police will continue with their crackdown on reckless driving despite such attempts to disrupt it.

“I also take this opportunity to warn that we will further strengthen legal action against perpetrators of such acts in accordance with the bounds of the law,” he added.

The authorities rolled out amendments to the Transport Act on October 1, prescribing harsher penalties and hefty fines for traffic violations. The amendments come in the wake of deadly accidents, especially in the populous Male’ area.