Family reiterates call for international involvement in Yamin's murder investigation

Family of human rights activist and blogger Yamin Rasheed has reiteration their appeal for international involvement in the investigation into his murder.

In a statement released this Saturday, Yamin’s father – Hussain Rasheed reiterated his appeal to Maldives Police Service and President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to involve international experts in the investigation into Yamin’s murder.

Yamin, 29, died in hospital in the early hours of April 23, minutes after he was discovered on the stairwell of his residence – M. Spatula in Male’ City – with multiple stab wounds, and taken to the hospital.

Hussain Rasheed, in his statement, said the family has shared information regarding Yamin’s murder with foreign diplomats based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“As such, I met with foreign diplomats, organizations which advocate for human rights and press freedom, as well as reporters based in Sri Lanka,” wrote Hussain Rasheed in his statement.

Hussain Rasheed appealed to international bodies to pressure Maldivian government to involve international experts in the murder investigation. He said the family believed it was the only way to ensure a reliable investigation into the case.

Hussain Rasheed expressed the family’s concern over lack of arrest and lack of seeming progress made in the case despite the announcement of Maldives Police Service it has identified two suspects who they believe were directly involved in Yamin’s murder.

Police have released stills from CCTV footage of the two suspects, but have not released their identities.