Nation lauds boy who foiled bid to stab premier

updated 2:26 p.m. ET Jan. 9, 2008

Residents of the Maldives showered praise Wednesday on a 15-year-old Boy Scout who foiled an attempt to assassinate the president of this island nation by grabbing the attacker's knife.

Mohammed Jaisham Ibrahim, wearing his blue Maldives scout uniform with a blue kerchief, was among those waiting to greet the leader Tuesday when the attacker lunged out from the crowd.

"Jaisham our national hero saves the president," the Midhu Daily newspaper cheered in a headline.

President Maumoon Gayoom was unhurt, but his shirt was ripped as the attacker tried a second time to stab him before being overpowered by security guards, government spokesman Mohammed Shareef said. The incident occurred on Hoarafushi, one of the 1,190 coral islands in the Indian Ocean that make up the Maldives.

"One brave boy saved the president's life," Shareef said.

He added that the Cabinet will discuss awarding a national honor to Ibrahim.

"The Cabinet will discuss it, and it's a lengthy process," Shareef said. "The scouting movement is celebrating its centenary this year, and it is also seriously considering some way to recognize the bravery of this boy."

'Smart boy'
The attacker hid a knife in the Maldivian flag as he awaited Gayoom's arrival, then sprang toward the president, Shareef said. Ibrahim reached out and grabbed the blade, and he was cut on the hand, according to the government.

"There was blood on the president's shirt, but it was not his but the boy's," Shareef said.

"His wound was stitched, but later he complained that he could not move some of his fingers," Shareef said, adding the youngster was flown to the Maldives' capital, Male, for treatment.

"He has become a hero," Ahmed Zahir, executive editor of Haveeru newspaper, told The Associated Press. "There were hundreds of people gathered at the jetty to receive him when he arrived in Male yesterday. He is a very smart boy. I don't know how he reacted so quickly. He is very, very brave I would say."

First aid training
Boy Scouts in the Maldives are similar to their U.S. counterparts, receiving training in first aid and participating in activities like camping. Their motto is the same as well: "Be Prepared."

After the attack, Gayoom addressed the nation in a radio broadcast, thanking the teenager and calling for calm, according to the Web site of the Minivan newspaper.

"We should not resort to violence even if we have differences between the parties," Gayoom was quoted as saying.

A police Web site identified the attacker as Mohamed Murshid, 20. No motive was given, and other details were not disclosed. Shareef, speaking by telephone from Male, said the assassination attempt may have had a "political motive," but it was too early to say if Islamic militants were involved.

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