A 26-year-old repeat traffic offender who led police on a high-speed pursuit while intoxicated has been remanded in custody for an additional 30 days following a collision with a patrol vehicle in Malé, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) confirmed.
The suspect, identified as Ahmed Fariz, was arrested in the early hours of October 4, 2026, and faces charges for obstruction of police duties and property damage.
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According to police accounts, officers responded at approximately 03:52 AM following reports of an individual driving dangerously without a helmet along the Sinamalé Bridge highway from Hulhumalé to Malé.
When signalled to pull over near traffic lights in Malé, Fariz disobeyed orders and accelerated down Boduthakurufaanu Magu. During the subsequent pursuit, he struck a police car, causing damage to the vehicle before abandoning his motorcycle and attempting to flee on foot, where patrolling officers ultimately intercepted him on Moonlight Hingun.
During proceedings, the court ordered Fariz to remain in detention, ruling that his release would pose a danger to public safety. Evidence presented to support the remand included scene-of-crime reports, police statements, and CCTV footage.
The court explicitly refuted allegations that police vehicles had struck the suspect’s motorcycle, noting that evidence and witness testimony proved Fariz drove recklessly near law enforcement officers rather than being knocked down.
In his statement, Fariz admitted to crossing the bridge without a helmet and driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, though he denied claims that he was lying flat on the motorcycle seat while riding.
Emphasising that operating any vehicle while intoxicated severely jeopardises the lives of both the driver and the public, the court sustained the detention order. Police revealed that Fariz has an extensive history of traffic offences, including driving without a license, operating vehicles under suspension, reckless driving, and speeding and currently owes MVR 44,000 in unpaid traffic fines.
The investigation remains ongoing.
