Member of Parliament for Maafannu South and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy has stated that three Committees of the Parliament had refused to review the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdullah.
Speaking in press conference held in MDP Office regarding the anniversary of Rilwan’s disappearance, MP Imthiyaz stated that separate submissions were sent to National Security Committee, Independent Commissions Committee and National Security Services Committee. He added that the submissions were filed with the signatories of many individuals but had been rejected by all three Committees.
Maldives Police Service had previously stated that the Institution was actively engaged in the investigation on his disappearance. Recently, the Institution reported that the samples sent abroad for further analysis had not yielded any results.
Many members of the public have noted that there were many irregularities and room for suspicion in Rilwan’s disappearance. As such, eyewitnesses reported hearing a cry near his flat on the night of his disappearance and subsequently a car was seen speeding away from the area. Eyewitnesses also reported that a knife was found on the scene as well.
At the time of his disappearance, Rilwan was working in Minivan News. He was last seen in Hulhumale’ ferry terminal, on his way to Hulhumale’.
Commentators on social media have claimed that Rilwan will never be seen again and that his dead body had been submerged. No substantial evidence has been found to support the claim.