Police clear path for Rilwan protest march
Last year’s anniversary march was met with pepper spray as police snatched placards and arrested nine people.
08 Aug 2018, 9:00 AM
In stark contrast to previous years, police officers on Wednesday cleared the way for a protest march to mark four years since the abduction of Maldives Independent journalist Ahmed Rilwan.
Led by Rilwan’s parents and family, about 250 people marched half the length of the capital’s main thoroughfare as a small group of police officers diverted traffic. The march ended with a gathering at Malé’s western artificial beach where former colleagues, members of civil society and Rilwan’s father delivered speeches.
Calling for an independent inquiry, protesters chanted, “It’s been four years, where is Rilwan?” “The knife went missing, Rilwan is still missing,” and “Investigate President [Abdulla] Yameen”.
They held up placards with photos of state officials accused of complicity, including the president, his jailed former deputy, and the prosecutor general.
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