Human rights group Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) has requested the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) to probe police’s failure to investigate dangerous criminal activity outlined in a report into the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan.
The report – which claimed Rilwan was likely to have been abducted by radicalised gangs – was sent to the police on September 22 along with a letter requesting the police investigate its findings, MDN said.
The police proceeded to dismiss the report, however, claiming it was released for “political gain,” and has not yet informed the NGO if it has looked into any of the allegations.
The investigation – conducted by Glasgow based Athena Intelligence and Security – identified possible suspects in Rilwan’s disappearance, and confirmed hostile surveillance of Rilwan on the night he went missing. It also linked his disappearance to an abduction at knifepoint outside Rilwan’s apartment on the same night.
“The Maldives Police Services failed to investigate the various criminal actions outlined in the report in the past 2 months and 26 days,” MDN’s letter to the PIC on Monday read.
“We request that your commission investigate and take action against those police officers who have been negligent in this case.” Criminal activity highlighted in the report include:
- Death threats issued against Rilwan by the administrators of Facebook Group Bilad Al-Sham and stalking by an individual called Ismail Abdul Raheem
- Abduction with a knife reported on August 8 in front of Rilwan’s apartment
- Hostile surveillance of Rilwan by at least two people belonging to Kuda Henveiru gang in Malé
Home Minister Umar Naseer has also acknowledged involvement of gangs in Rilwan’s disappearance. Meanwhile, Rilwan’s family has also lodged a complaint at the PIC accusing the Maldives Police Services of negligence.
The police had failed to treat the case seriously despite Rilwan’s high risk profile, the family said. Although an abduction reported outside Rilwan’s apartment at 2 am on August 8, the police only took statements from eyewitnesses on August 14, the family noted.
Further, the police officer in charge of the Hulhumalé police station prevented junior officers from apprehending and searching the car used in the abduction on the same night, the family said.
“If the abduction had been investigated immediately at the right time, the police would have been able to find the victim and clarify if it is our brother or not,” Rilwan’s sister Mariyam Fazna has said.
The police only searched Rilwan’s apartment 29 hours after the abduction was reported and searched his office 11 days afterwards. The police also failed to make a public announcement on Rilwan’s disappearance – despite a request by the family – and did not inform the public on how to act if they had any information related to the case, the family explained further.
In a statement to mark the 100 days of disappearance, Rilwan’s mother Aminath Easa said the state had failed to protect her son and bring perpetrators to justice.
Police Commissioner Hussain Waheed had previously denied negligence while the home minister told state television that some crimes could not be solved.
Related to this story
MDN investigation implicates radicalised gangs in Rilwan’s disappearance
Missing journalist’s family accuses police of negligence, files complaint
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"Further, the police officer in charge of the Hulhumalé police station prevented junior officers from apprehending and searching the car used in the abduction on the same night, the family said."
Police will simply deny it even if that really happened. And why not? No police officer would expose all of it and be threatened with death, which is a trademark of the PPM government. If it is proven that it happened then they will change their statement and say that they allowed Rilwan to be disappeared in order to follow the gangs and monitor their activities.
In a civilized country these actions would be evidence of police involvement in his abduction, or at the very least it would be proof of their negligence.
Some police officers liked to talk about "unlawful orders" when they staged the coup against President Nasheed, but what about the unlawful orders being given now? isn't it unlawful to not investigate an abduction? Liars and hypocrites, that's what they are. Policing politics, not the citizens.
I cant understand why the police is trying to flack Minivan news and MDN and talk in favor of illicket,plunders.
I don't find any reunites from the police,Govt or the elites parties,with the employee or MDN.
Why is the police so descendant to his family? They are not sure the there child end up in a decease.
The police has become Tyrannical in their repose to media and the NGO one who is trying to find the fact #moyameehaa.
I recommend advanced interrogation on this so-called "police officer in charge of the Hulhumalé police station". A few minutes, and he'll crack and confess to the reason why he prevented the investigation.