Over 150 hours of CCTV footage reviewed in efforts to locate Asir

Maldives Police Service, on Thursday, stated that they have reviewed over 150 hours of CCTV footage to locate Mohamed Asir Ismail, 31, Gaskara, S. Maradhoo-Feydhoo, who was reported missing from Male’ City last week.

In a statement on Thursday, Police said that footage from the CCTV cameras installed near H. Alshaavila, the residence of Asir, in addition to CCTV camera footage from the Velana International Airport (VIA), TMA, and airport ferry area, amounting to over 150 hours have been reviewed by the authority as part of their search efforts.

They detailed that Asir was last seen at VIA. In this regard, they detailed CCTV cameras having caught Asir entering a white taxi near Hulhumale’ Ferry Terminal at approximately 7:20pm on the night of February 4^th.  Further footage as per the police shows the taxi stop at VIA’s terminal, after which Asir is seen exiting the taxi and entering the terminal.

Police said that absence of CCTV cameras in the area where Asir enters the airport has hindered them from tracing his next steps. As a result, Police said they searched all sea vessels docked at the airport’s lagoon and questioned those who frequent the area whether they had seen him by showing them Asir’s picture.

They had also inquired whether any bookings were made under Asir’s name for travel domestically or internationally. The course of investigation, as reported by the Police, confirmed to them that Asir had not traveled to any country abroad or domestically.

“The investigative team also identified the taxi Asir took to the airport, and questioned the taxi driver,” Police added.

Police made an announcement seeking public help to locate Asir on Tuesday, February 7^th, citing his family last heard from him on Sunday, February 5.

They have asked anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to call the police hotline at 3322111 or the Galolhu Police Station at 9631696.