'True Climate Hero' Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives Injured in Suspected Bomb Attack

Former Maldivian president and presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed speaks to the press in Male on November 10, 2013. (Photo: Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images)

'True Climate Hero' Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives Injured in Suspected Bomb Attack

"Cowardly attacks like these have no place in our society," said Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

This is a developing news story... Check back for possible updates...

Former Maldives president and climate champion Mohamed Nasheed was injured Thursday in a suspected bomb attack as he was getting into his car in the nation's capital of Male.

Nasheed, who became Maldives' first democratically elected president in 2008 and is currently the nation's parliament speaker, was reportedly rushed to a local hospital for treatment following the attack. Authorities have not yet offered details on Nasheed's condition.

While an investigation is ongoing, one Maldives official suggested the blast may have been caused by an "improvised explosive device, possibly rigged up to a parked motorcycle."

"Cowardly attacks like these have no place in our society," said Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. "My thoughts and prayers are with President Nasheed and others injured in this attack, as well as their families."

News of Nasheed's injury prompted well wishes from activists in honor of his passionate work on behalf of climate justice during and after his presidency, which ended in a coup in 2012.

Bill McKibben, co-founder of U.S.-based advocacy group 350.org, tweeted, "Praying for Mohamed Nasheed, former [president] of the Maldives and a true climate hero, who was the victim of a bombing attack today in Male. He's in the hospital in serious condition."

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.