The Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry established to probe the case of a young woman found injured on the rooftop of a building in Male’ has launched an online portal to submit information regarding the case.
21-year-old Mariyam Yumnu was found injured on the rooftop of a warehouse in the Henveiru district at around 07:30 am on April 18.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu set up the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry on April 27th, tasking it to conduct an independent and credible investigation into the incident.
The Commission, via a post on X on Thursday, said they have launched an online portal which can be used to submit queries, information, statements, photos, videos and/or any other documents relating to the case. The portal can be access using e-Faas.
The Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry comprises of five members:
Dr. Mohamed Munavvar, G. Hasaankaarige, President of the Commission
Brigadier General (Retired) Ahmed Mohamed, V. Almaan
Dr. Moosa Murad, Malé Registry Number 641
Jabeen Mohamed, Moonimaage, Th. Veymandoo
Aminath Eenaas, H. Habaruge
The Commission established under a presidential decree has been granted extensive powers and privileges and will remain operational until the President declares that its mandate has been fulfilled.
According to the police, their investigation uncovered that Yumnu fell from a skylight on the ninth-floor stairwell of the adjacent building, H. Fentenoy, but that there was no evidence of foul play.
But before her fall, she had been part of a group of at least nine individuals who were at Ma. Maandhooge Dhekunuge- for a party, where they are believed to have possibly consumed drugs and alcohol.
The case of Yumnu, who spent nearly three hours on the rooftop of a warehouse before a neighbor saw her and alerted the authorities, has sparked serial protests in Male’ after it became known that the individuals involved have family links to influential figures, including a cabinet minister and a diplomat.
The police had initially refused to name anyone else except for Yumnu. It wasn’t until six days later – on April 24 – that the police finally named eight people who had been with Yumnu in the party as persons of interest. Raudh Ahmed Zilal, 21; Izdhiyaan Mohamed Maumoon, 28; Aishath Layaaly Iqbal, 22; Yoosuf Ahmed Akram, 22; Yoosuf Yassar Abdul Ghafoor, 28; Aminath Junaina Jamsheed, 24; Hussain Hamees Ali, 28; and Ijaz Jaiz, 24.
Meanwhile, the house where the group held the “party” was confirmed as the family residence of Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, who admitted that two of his nephews were among the group of individuals involved, but denied he knew anything about what he described as the “gathering.”
The police have said that both Yumnu and Raudh were heavily intoxicated at the time, and had both tested positive for narcotics. Clips of CCTV footage shared by police show Yumnu appeared to have trouble walking, and even fell down on the ground at one point.
Raudh has been arrested for not cooperating with the investigation on April 24th. He was initially remanded in custody for five days, which was later extended by 10 days on April 30th.