Home Minister: Investigation includes Hulhumale

Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has said that the claim that a person was abducted and taken onboard a vehicle in Hulhumale’ is also under investigation, as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla.

According to Minivan News, eyewitnesses in Hulhumale' reported seeing a man in dark clothes being forced into a vehicle at knifepoint outside Rilwan’s apartment at around 2 a.m. in the early hours of 8 August.

The paper reported that moreover, after the vehicle sped off, one observer went down to the street and found a weapon, and alerted the police.

Speaking at a press conference held today to provide information on the investigation, Umar Naseer said, “This incident [of a person being forced into a vehicle outside Rilwan’s apartment] has been reported to the police. However, it has not been confirmed if the incident is connected to Rilwan’s disappearance. But investigations are ongoing in this line, as well as several others.”

He also urged media groups to share information related to this case with the police prior to publication, as publication without informing the police could hinder the police investigation.

He further informed that 40 police officers are employed in this investigation, and assured that the government would provide additional equipment as required for the search efforts at sea, which began today.