Wednesday’s hearing in Rilwan’s abduction trial cancelled

This Wednesday’s hearing in the trial of three suspects in the abduction of journalist Ahmed Rilwan has been cancelled. The trial’s hearing scheduled for last Tuesday was also cancelled.

Three suspects have been charges with terrorism for the abduction. The suspects are:

- Mohamed Suaid, Athireege, Hulhudhoo, Addu City

- Ahmed Aalif Rauf, H. Hilton, Male’ City

- Mohamed Nooruddin, Karankaage, G. Dh. Vaadhoo

Police had arrested suspects Aalif and Nooruddin. But they were released from detention in July, 2016.

Aalif is the owner of the red private car involved in Rilwan’s abduction, and Nooruddin is the person who used it in Hulhumale’.

Rilwan went missing from Hulhumale’ in the early hours of August 8, 2014.

Speaking at a press conference regarding the case in 2017, the police said witnesses have provided testimony they heard loud screams coming from the direction of the red car and a hand waving out from the door on the left side of the car before it was slammed shut, during the time frame Rilwan went missing.

Two State witnesses who testified at the last hearing said they saw a person being forcefully dragged into a car from near Rilwan’s apartment. But the witnesses were unable to identify either Rilwan or his abductors.

Police have stated Rilwan’s disappearance was a pre-planned abduction, and that CCTV footage showed suspect Suaid tailing Rilwan throughout the night he disappeared.