An explosion in the Maldives capital Male on Thursday night injured former president and current Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, police said.
The explosion occurred near Mr Nasheed's home in the Neeloafaru Magu neighbourhood.
He was taken to ADK hospital to be treated for multiple injuries. A "multi-speciality medical team" was caring for the former president, who maintained stable vitals, the ADK hospital tweeted.
Maldives police secured the scene and urged the public to refrain from visiting the area.
A foreign tourist was also injured in the blast, state TV channel PSM reported.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said an official investigation has begun, and condemned the "attack on the country's democracy and economy".
Mr Solih said the Australian police would assist the investigation.
"We are treating this matter with utmost seriousness," he said.
Former president Mohammed Hassan, who succeeded Mr Naheed, also condemned the attack.
"I strongly, wholeheartedly condemn the attack aimed at my former running mate and predecessor Mr Naheed," he wrote on Twitter.
"The propagation of hate in Maldivian politics must end and we must find ways to unite and work together, rather than divide."
Mr Nasheed, 53, became the first democratically elected leader of the archipelago state after a 30-year autocratic rule. He served as president from 2008 to 2012, after defeating former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who also condemned the attack.
"I do hope and pray that Raees Nasheed is unhurt and well. I condemn in the strongest terms all acts of violence and terrorism," Mr Gayoom said.
Other political figures denounced the attack, including the opposition coalition, the foreign minister, the defence minister and arts minister.
In 2019, Mr Nasheed was elected parliament speaker and remains an influential political figure in the country.
Mr Nasheed is known as a champion against global warming and an outspoken critic of religious extremism in the predominantly Sunni Muslim nation, where preaching and practising other faiths are banned by law.
Violent attacks in the country are rare, the last major attack occurred in 2007, when a blast in a park in the capital injured 12 foreign tourists.
Maldives, known for its luxury resort islands, is a popular tourist destination for UAE residents.
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
