Ex-CP Hussain Waheed questioned by DDCom in Rilwan abduction probe

Former Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed has been questioned by Disappearances and Deaths Commission (DDCom) in its investigation into the disappearance of Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, a journalist who worked for Minivan News (later renamed Maldives Independent), in 2014.  

Sun has been informed Hussain Waheed was summoned by the DDCom for questioning in response to the allegation he obstructed the police investigation into the case. 

Hussain Waheed was summoned by DDCom multiple times over last July. However, further details remain unavailable at this point. 

When questioned by Sun regarding the reason for summoning Hussain Waheed, DDCom member Misbah Abbas declined to comment, stating that it is against policy to disclose information regarding people questioned by the commission. 

Hussain Waheed did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking his comment. 

Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom was also summoned by DDCom last week for its investigation into Rilwan’s disappearance. 

The opposition leader, who has also been accused of obstructing the police investigation into the case, refused to answer questions by the commission, and chose to exercise his right to remain silent.   

Rilwan, 28, a journalist at Maldives Independent, was last seen on August 8, 2014. He is believed to have been abducted and murdered.   

He was last seen boarding a ferry to suburban Hulhumale’ wearing a black shirt and pants and carrying a backpack.   

No trace of him has been found since.   

Preliminary investigative findings by DDCom show Rilwan was abducted and murdered. He was forced into a car while on his way to his apartment in Hulhumale’, forced on a boat registered to AA. Ukulhas, and killed and thrown overboard.   

DDCom links the case with a group of Maldivian extremists affiliated with an international terrorist organization.