Islamic extremists behind attack on Maldives ex-president

Maldives official claimed that Islamic extremists were responsible for Thursday's explosion that critically wounded former President Mohamed Nasheed while two of the four suspects were arrested by the police.

At a news conference on Saturday, the police released a CCTV footage in which Nasheed and his bodyguards are seen walking through a narrow passage that leads from his home to a main road.

An explosion occurs as Nasheed approaches his car, and men running down the passage.

Hospital officials on Saturday said that Nasheed, 53, was conscious and no longer on breathing support, but remains in an intensive care unit after initial life-saving surgeries to his head, chest, abdomen and limbs.

According to Kaushal Kishore, one of the doctors at the hospital, a shrapnel damaged his intestines and liver, and was a centimeter (0.4 inches) away from his heart.

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem told reporters that investigators still don’t know which extremist group was behind Thursday's attack, which also wounded two of Nasheed's bodyguards and two apparent bystanders, including a British citizen.

Police announced that two men were arrested in connection with the attack, and released a photo of a person they said is the main fugitive suspect, seeking public assistance in identifying him.

No group has claimed responsibility.

Officers from the Australian Federal Police arrived Saturday in the Maldives to assist with the investigation, following a request from the country's government.

A British investigator is expected to arrive in the Indian Ocean archipelago on Sunday.