MDP: Majlis intentionally ignoring Rilwan issue

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused People’s Majlis of intentionally ignoring the issue of missing journalist – Rilwan, accusing government MPs of not providing any support whatsoever on the issue.

during a press conference held at MDP Office on Saturday morning, MDP spokesperson and North-Mafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy said that no effort had been put into finding the missing journalist.

MP Imthiyaz said that while MDP had raised the issue of the missing journalist in three People’s Majlis committees, the party was sad to note that the issue had not been looked into by any of those committees.

"We note that this is intentional. As you all know, the party representing government has majority in all committees. At the same time we note that a petition signed by Rilwan’s family, friends, and a large number of Maldivian citizens had been sent to Majlis. But the issue had not been looked into. We are very concerned about this,” said MP Imthiyaz.

He said that MDP members who raised the issue of Rilwan in People’s Majlis faced ridicule from government aligned members as soon as they raised any such issue.

MDP Secretary General Anas Abdul Sattar said that no progress made by any investigative authority could be seen regarding Rilwan.

“When no progress is made by investigative authority, it is People’s Majlis – the place with people’s representatives – that needs to be concerned. Therefore they need to instruct investigative authorities. Majlis needs to research progress made by investigative authorities in finding Rilwan. To further look into the matter,” said Anas.

Rilwan disappeared on August 8, 2014 and no trace of him has been found since. He was last caught on CCTV camera inside Hulhumale’ Ferry Terminal in Male’.

He is assumed to have disappeared some time during the late hours of night near his Hulhumale’ apartment.

The last update given by police regarding their investigation on the case was that 387 people had been questioned and testimony of 128 people had been taken; including people from 77 apartments located near Rilwan’s apartment.

Police also said that they had gone through 1,235 hours of CCTV video footage taken from 157 cameras places in 79 places.