Yameen’s family turned away by police and Prosecutor General

Police and the Prosecutor General on Thursday refused to meet the family of slain blogger Yameen Rasheed, ahead of the first anniversary of his death.

Yameen was killed a year ago and hearings in the murder trial are either being held behind closed doors or cancelled altogether.

His family, as well as activists, were unsuccessful in their attempts to meet officials and were told to come back a week later.

Shahinda Ismail, from local rights NGO Maldives Democracy Network, said an open trial was important to ensure justice was done.

“We want to know if the trial is a fair and just trial,” she told reporters outside the HRCM office. “The trial has been going on in secrecy at the behest of the PG and the family does not know what is going on or if they are getting justice.”

Yameen’s family and friends are planning events to commemorate his death.

There is also a social media campaign – #OpenTheTrial – to put pressure on authorities.

This story has been updated.