Statements obtained in 13-yo's murder investigation shared with PG

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has shared the statements collected in the investigation into the abduction and murder of a 13-year-old boy discovered last week, with Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem.

In an audio post on his personal blog, the Prosecutor General revealed that the police institution is working to complete the investigation at a swift speed and that the police investigation team and prosecutors had held a meeting on Sunday.

During the meeting prosecutors had shed light on matters that need to be uncovered further and how the case needs to proceed.

At a time the police institution has shared the statements collected in connection to the gruesome murder of the teenager, authorities revealed that they are currently working to send the body for a post-mortem examination to neighboring India, during this week.

The 13-year-old murder victim’s body was taken to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) for analysis of his wounds, earlier.

Maldives was shaken after the abduction and consecutive murder of a 13-year-old boy made the headlines on June 22.

The body of the boy, 13 and native to Madaveli island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll, was found stuffed inside a suitcase in the lagoon northeast of Hulhumalé Phase II, a region into which entry is unauthorized. Police pulled the suitcase out of the water in the late hours of June 21.

Speaking to press the very next day, Serious and Organized Crime Head, Chief Inspector of Police Abdulla Rasheed revealed that Hulhumalé police was informed of a wounded boy in the restricted area of Hulhumalé Phase II on June 21 after initially receiving the abduction report on June 20, following which officers began searching the region. He also revealed that the police institution has made great progress into the investigation.

Deputy Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Fathmath Yumna had revealed that the child had been receiving social support from the Ministry’s Child and Family Protection Services.

The police institution assures that the heinous crime “is being investigated with utmost diligence”.

The police institution arrested two men, a 17-year-old and a 27-year-old, believed to be acquaintances of the murdered teenager. The 27-year-old has since been remanded pending trial, with the 17-year-old being given 15-days. RaajjeMV understands that the 27-year-old suspect has been identified as Ibrahim Zihan, native to Landhoo island in Noonu atoll. Both suspects are accused of deliberate murder, violence, abduction as well as sexual abuse against a minor.

At a time the ministry had warned of action against the publication of personal information of the child and family during this challenging time, the ministry has since taken action against four media outlets for publicizing unproven content.

The People’s Majlis committee on human rights and gender held a closed-door meeting on Saturday regarding its inquiry into how the crime took place, including whether or not the victim was provided legal protection and any measures that have been taken.