Rilwan

Family members and friends of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, who is believed to have been missing since 8 August, have gathered outside the parliament building to protest the lack of progress in the efforts to find him.

During the peaceful gathering today, Rilwan’s mother Aminath Eesa presented a letter on behalf of his family to the parliament, and his elder brother Moosa Rilwan spoke to reporters at the scene.

“The family is deeply concerned. Seventeen days since he went missing, we don’t think enough is being done to find him. Even the parliament has not extended enough support,” said Moosa.

He added that the family has requested meetings with President Abdulla Yameen as well as Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Maseeh, but to no avail.

Ongoing efforts by the police to determine the whereabouts of Rilwan include searching apartments and guesthouses. Police have said that despite the CCTV footage, which shows Rilwan buying a ticket at Hulhumale’ Ferry Terminal in Male’ and entering the waiting area, it cannot be confirmed that he boarded the ferry and reached Hulhumale’.

Rilwan’s family has offered MVR 50,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to his return.