Nine men arrested in connection with Malala shooting

GlobalPost

CNN is reporting that nine men have been arrested in connection to the shooting of Malala Yousafzai, the 15-year-old Pakistani blogger who spoke out against the Taliban.

Police on Wednesday told CNN they identified Atta Ullah, a 23-year-old from the the Taliban-heavy northeastern Swat district where Malala was attacked, as the main suspect. Authorities said they are searching for Ullah, who was studying for a master's degree in chemistry.

More from GlobalPost: Pakistan prays for Malala Yousafzai (PHOTOS)

Six other men were arrested and stand accused of facilitating the attack along with Ullah's fiancée, mother and brother, though they aren't accused of involvement in the attack, police noted. 

On Oct. 12, three other men between the ages of 17 and 22 were arrested in connection with the shooting. They each claimed Ullah to be the mastermind behind the attack. 

Malala, along with two classmates, was shot in the head near her school on Oct. 9 for demanding education for girls. She was flown to the UK for treatment on Oct. 15 and has since awoken from her coma. She is currently in stable condition and is reportedly able to walk with assistance and is communicating freely.

More from GlobalPost: Malala Yousafzai: Why did the Taliban shoot this girl? (VIDEO)

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