Man reported missing arrested in murder probe

Police have arrested one of two men reported missing last week in connection to a murder investigation.

Mohamed Nizam, 45, Manaaru, GDh. Thinadhoo; and Mohamed Liton, 35, Bangladesh, was reported missing after departing from Vilimale’ on a fuel barge on December 28. The barge was found adrift off Hulhule’ the next day. Neither of them were onboard.

A police spokesperson said Nizam was arrested under court order on Tuesday as a suspect in a murder case.

The police had announced they had expanded their search area to include Male’ on Monday. Later Monday, a Twitter user posted a selfie with Nizam at a café in Male’ City.

According to the Twitter user, Nizam told him that he went to the police headquarters after the police released his photo announcing him as a missing person, but left after the police told him they weren’t looking for him.

A police spokesperson said the police found Nizam in a guesthouse in Male’ City earlier Tuesday.

While the police did not disclose specifics regarding the murder in question, Liton, who disappeared along with Nizam, remains missing.