President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu urged Maldivian youths on Sunday not to let politicians misuse the genuine concerns they have in the recent case of a young woman found injured on a rooftop in Male’ to create instability in the country.
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. According to the police, their investigation uncovered that she 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.
There soon emerged allegations of a police coverup after it became known that the individuals involved have family links to influential figures, including a cabinet minister and a diplomat.
Youths protest for a third straight night demanding justice for Mariyam Yumnu on April 25, 2025. (Sun Photo/Hussain Hafiz)
The case of the young woman, 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’. The protestors, a vast majority of them young men and women, have been demanding justice for her, and the resignation of top government and police officials over the alleged coverup.
Speaking to reporters before boarding a plane to Malaysia on Sunday morning, President Muizzu said that he acknowledges that the youths have genuine concerns in the case.
But he also said that it is evident that others are misusing these concerns to create political instability.
“I want to direct this message to the youths; don’t let anyone misuse your genuine concerns and sentiments. What we are seeing… You must be seeing that political figures are misusing your sentiments to create political instability in the country. We are seeing some people attempting to do this,” he said.
President Muizzu said he does not believe this is something the youths themselves want to happen.
“So don’t give anyone the chance to create instability in the country. This is not in the interest of any Maldivian citizen,” he said.
“National stability is in the best interest of us as individuals and as a society. This is the responsibility of each and every one of us.”
ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ރަސްމީ ދަތުރުފުޅެއްގައި މެލޭޝިއާއަށް ފުރާވަޑައިގަތުމުގެ ކުރިން ދެއްވި އިންޓަރވިއު pic.twitter.com/w5JK4yf0z2
— The President's Office (@presidencymv) April 27, 2025
President Muizzu added that it has nothing to do with his Malaysia visit, which several Maldivian students who reside in Malaysia have reportedly said they intend to boycott in protest of the alleged coverup in the case.
Youth protestors have demanded justice for Yumnu, and the resignation of top government and police officials over the alleged coverup, including Transport Minister Ameen – whose two nephews have been named as persons of interest in the case, Home Minister Ali Ihusan, and then-Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Shujau.
The latter tendered his resignation on Saturday night following four straight nights of protest, and was replaced with Ismail Naveen as acting CP.
On Saturday, President Muizzu set up a three-member presidential commission to conduct an inquiry into the case.
President Muizzu told reporters on Sunday that the commission will not face any obstacles in conducting an independent inquiry and uncovering the truth.
Youths protest for a fourth straight night demanding justice for Mariyam Yumnu on April 26, 2025. (Sun Photo/Naaish Nahid)
“They will not face any form of obstacle from anywhere to uncover the truth or look into what needs to be looked into. No such obstacles can even be put before them. There’s no one they cannot question. There’s no door they cannot knock. They have also been empowered to seek foreign expertise if they need to,” he said.
President Muizzu said he wishes for the investigation to be conducted in a transparent and responsible manner. He provided assurance that the rule of law will be applied to all without discrimination.  
“All the questions must be answered. Everything must be made clear,” he said.
Yumnu, who sustained serious injuries in the fall, was flown to a hospital in Malaysia on Saturday. The family received USD 25,000 (MVR 385,500) from the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), and the rest of the money needed for her medical treatment was raised through a fundraiser.