Three years after Rilwan’s abduction

When we look back at three years and odd days ago, we remember the happy life he led with us. The peaceful moments we spent together. He was a friend to many and an acquaintance that maintained good relationships. Even as he first opened his eyes to the world, he was a journalist who loved to share news and information to the world. He was a human who loved humanity. He prioritised his family and was a good sibling to his sisters. He was a brother. He was someone who got along well with everyone and had a happy disposition. He was my loving brother, Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla. Or “Moyameehaa” according to his social media name.

Today is 1097 days since merciless hands abducted Rilwan. Yes, it’s been exactly three years since. Yet we still have to ask the very same questions we asked the first day. Those questions have remained without answers even today. “Where is Rilwan? What happened to Rilwan?” The relevant authorities have failed to answer these questions. The Maldives Police Service that said it was carrying on with the investigation since the first day, are still carrying on with it. Yet there is no progress to the case.  

They have no information to share with the family. The way they have carried on with the investigation only gives more grievances to the family. The CCTV footage from Malé and Hulhumalé, the forceful capture of someone into a red car, the hair samples found in the red car, it all indicates that some people abducted Rilwan. That he was kidnapped. About a month later, three people were arrested regarding the case. The police said it was a break-through for their investigation. Yet the suspects were released a few days later. There were no results to show for the break through in the case. With an additional two, five people were arrested and released in total. And 606 days after Rilwan was abducted, on 05th April 2016 two more were arrested. Yet they were released, just the way those suspected were released before.