Maldives police arrest man over attack on Indian envoy's car

Maldives police have arrested a man suspected of stoning the car of the Indian envoy, local media reported here Thursday. Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Rajeev Shahare's car was damaged when a stone was thrown through the windshield while it was parked outside the High Commission in Male on Monday evening. Police said the 22 year old man was taken into custody under a court order on Wednesday evening. However, police are yet to reveal further details of the suspect in custody, reported local media outlet Haveeru. In a statement, the government had said such unlawful acts against any foreign diplomat or their property will not be tolerated and assured that every necessary action will be taken to protect diplomats residing in the country. "The government assures that the cowardly attack will be swiftly investigated and those responsible brought to justice," the statement read. Indian High Commission meanwhile warned that such acts could affect the close and friendly ties between the two countries. The High Commission had also said the Indian high commissioner was in the car minutes before the attack. "It is evident that there was malicious intention to cause damage to the property and perhaps to the occupant of the car," the High Commission had said in a statement. Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed condemned the attack on the Indian envoy's car. India has been pushing the Maldives to hold presidential elections and have a peaceful transition of power ahead of its Nov. 11 constitutional deadline. As political wrangling postponed a second attempt to have elections on Oct. 19, India flew in its Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh to have discussions with the three candidates as well as President Waheed to push for a democratic solution to the standoff. India is believed by analysts to be encouraging the Maldives to have its presidential elections as soon as possible and for candidates to accept the outcome. Nasheed's ability to contest the elections was also largely due to India's intervention and support.