Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s leader former President Mohamed Nasheed and its candidate for the upcoming elections Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have expressed disappointment following the acquittal of suspects in journalist Ahmed Rilwan's abduction.
Criminal Court on Thursday acquitted both suspects- Alif Rauf and Mohamed Nooradeen- due to insufficient evidence, blaming state's negligence in the case.
In a tweet sent out shortly after the verdict, former president Nasheed said that he is 'saddened and infuriated by the latest injustice perpetrated by the state against Rilwan'.
"Today's criminal court sentence comes as no surprise in a case without credible investigation or trial. A transparent investigation into Rilwan's disappearance must be conducted", said the former president, while the party's current presidential hopeful Solih said that it is saddening that Rilwan's family did not receive justice.
Saddened and infuriated by the latest injustice perpetrated by the state against Rilwan. Today’s criminal court sentence comes as no surprise in a case without a credible investigation or trial. A transparent investigation into Rilwan’s disappearance must be conducted.
He vowed to reopen the case during an opposition administration, if they win in September's polls, and conduct a 'free, fair and transparent' investigation over Rilwan's disappearance.
Journalist Rilwan was last seen in the early hours on 8th August 2014 and is believed to have been abducted outside his apartment building in Hulhumalé. Police have said that on the night of Rilwan's disappearance, they had received a report of an individual being forced into a red car in Hulhumalé, but that the car was gone by the time they reached there. Police later said the car was registered under Aalif’s name, and that it had been taken into Hulhumalé illegally.
While a third suspect was accused of following Rilwan prior to his abduction, he has since been reported to have died after joining the Syrian internal conflict; however, the state has been unable to confirm his death.
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