Male’, Maldives – Civil Associations and the Family of the journalist who was kidnapped and murdered, Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla calls to investigate and punish the people who protected the perpetrators who were involved in his disappearance and death.
A statement released by Rilwan’s family, Association for Democracy in the Maldives and Rilwan and Yameen’s foundation noted that the people who were prosecuted in Rilwan’s case were not proven guilty for their charges and that the proof presented to the court and the investigation were also done irresponsibly.
In addition to this, the statement also expressed concerns that the Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances (DDCom) has still not sent a case for prosecution against any suspects. So far, the DDCom has questioned former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom and the former Commissioner of Police, Hussain Waheed regarding the influence over the murder case of Rilwan.
Rilwan’s family and the Civil Associations called onto the government to provide a date for when the ongoing investigation on Rilwan’s murder will be completed and to even take actions against those who are obstructing the work of the DDCom. The statement also called onto prosecute those who helped with the disappearance and death of Rilwan, especially the people who were previously in governmental positions and to investigate and prosecute those who funded Rilwan’s murder as well.
Rilwan disappeared on August 7, 2014, and was never seen or heard of since. The DDCOM, which was comprised of former Attorney General and current Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood as chair along with Abdulla Munaz, Adam Ibrahim, lawyer Fareesha Abdulla and journalist Misbah Abbas, concluded that Rilwan was kidnapped and killed by a local affiliate of al-Qaeda.
Additionally, the commission concluded that those who organized and financed the abduction of Rilwan and murder of Rilwan’s friend and blogger, Yameen Rasheed were the same. However, justice is yet to be served.
President Solih earlier informed that Commission on Disappearances and Deaths has said that the investigation of the kidnapped and executed journalist, Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla will be completed with a full report of the case report this year.
