Commission makes public appeal for info regarding unsolved deaths

The commission established by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to investigate murders and abductions has made a public appeal for information regarding suspicious deaths.

Head of the commission, former Attorney General Husnu Al Suood reported during an interview to VTV last Monday night that the commission is investigating 29 cases.

Suood said the opportunity will be allowed for the public to send in information regarding any other suspicious deaths in addition to the 29 cases the commission is currently investigating.

The commission has been empowered as an investigative authority and is investigating suspicious deaths and abductions in Maldives from January 1, 2012 to November 17, 2018.

Suood said the commission made the decision to widen the time frame of its investigations to include the murder of religious scholar and politician Dr. Afrasheem Ali in 2012.

“Investigation of the case is desired by a large number of Maldivian people,” said Suood.

Suood said the commission is open to seeking expertise in order to investigate the cases.

The cases the commission is investigating includes the abduction and presumed murder of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla and the murder of blogger and human rights activist Yameen Rasheed.

Suood said the commission will not hesitate to question any individual necessary during the course of its investigations.

“We will take statements from anyone and everyone necessary. There will be no exceptions,” said Suood.

He said the commission will not entertain farfetched conspiracy theories but rely on common sense.

When asked about the possibility of some of the cases under investigation being politically motivated, Suood said the committee will not rule out any possible motivation.

Commission on Investigation of Murders and Abductions:

• Husnu Al Suood
• Abdulla Munaz
• Adam Ibrahim
• Fareesha Abdulla
• Misbah Abbas