Politics

‘Terrorist group’ behind Rilwan’s abduction

Rilwan’s family said the state was failing to deliver justice.

08 Aug 2019, 9:00 AM

A “terrorist group” behind the abduction of Ahmed Rilwan in August 2014 has been identified with sufficient evidence to prosecute, according to the presidential commission on deaths and disappearances.

The commission shared its latest findings with Rilwan’s family two weeks ago, chair Husnu Suood tweeted on Thursday, the fifth anniversary of the Maldives Independent journalist’s disappearance.

Suood said the commission was considering revealing the details of the group before the end of August. Suood previously said the attempted murder of blogger Ismail Khilath Rasheed in June 2012, the assassination of lawmaker Dr Afrasheem Ali in October 2012, Rilwan’s abduction in August 2014, and the murder of blogger Yameen Rasheed in April 2017 were all connected and carried out by an extremist group.

“What happened to Rilwan after the abduction, is a subject still under investigation by [the commission], and it is trying to verify and corroborate the information that it has received,” he added.

Share the story

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

We'll guide you through what's happening and why it matters