The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Maldivian government to expedite police operations and deploy all necessary resources to determine the whereabouts of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla.
Minivan News journalist Rilwan was reported missing on 13 August.
In a statement, the IFJ and the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) said today, “His disappearance comes at a time of increased tension in the Maldives with a spike in threats against the media by criminal gangs and religious extremists in recent weeks.”
The group further said that his disappearance has now become a matter of grave concern as his whereabouts have not been known for 11 days, and urged the Maldivian government and concerned agencies to do everything possible to find him.
Rilwan is believed to have been missing since 8 August. Police said on Sunday that a large area in Hulhumale’ had been covered in the search efforts, and that work is ongoing to study relevant CCTV footage.