Lawsuit filed claiming police negligence in Yamin Rasheed’s murder

Father of human rights activist Yamin Rasheed has filed a lawsuit against Maldives Police Service claiming the authority’s negligence led to son’s murder.

Yamin Rasheed was left wounded with multiple stab wounds in the stairwell of his home on April 23. He died moments after he was taken to the hospital.

Yamin Rasheed’s father alleged that it had been MPS’s negligence in providing protection to his son despite the numerous threats against him being brought to the attention of the authority which provided the opportunity for the pre-meditated brutal murder.

During the hearing held last Wednesday, the State refused to respond to the accusation, and said it did not wish to proceed with the case unless all documents submitted in the case were sealed.

Yamin Rasheed’s family argues that a transparent trial was a right guaranteed through Article 42 of the Constitution. They say there’s no reason why the trial should be closed to public as it was not related to the investigation into Yamin’s murder.

The court is yet to make a decision on whether to hold an open or closed trial.

“Yamin Rasheed’s family wishes for this trial to be open and transparent. And for the police to admit they were negligent in performing their legal responsibilities,” said the family in a statement issued to the press.