Expatriate arrested in connection to brutal murder of entrepreneur, remanded

The expatriate arrested in connection to the brutal murder of an entrepreneur in Dhangethi island of Alif Dhaal atoll, has been remanded.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) confirmed the expatriate’s arrest on Saturday. He was remanded by 15 days on Saturday night.

Further details have not been disclosed yet.

RaajjeMV understands that the expatriate was the caretaker of an elderly man residing in the house next to the abandoned house where Mahmood Aboobakuru’s body was found.

The body of the 57-year-old man was found suspended inside a well, tied up and stuffed inside a sack on October 14. There were to have been visible signs of torture on the body. Dhangethi Council President Muaaviyath Rasheed revealed that Mahmood was a good man and a successful entrepreneur who did not have any issues with anyone.

Mahmood used to supply food staples to the island community and owned a café and boat as well. He was last seen on Wednesday night and never returned home after going to see the SAFF Championship match that night. With this, the family had informed the council. The council revealed that the entire island was left staggered by the murder. It is believed that Mahmood was tortured before being murdered.

Mahmood is survived by four children.

As the investigation into the murder proceeds, a number of police officers are currently active on the island. The region where his body was found, has since been closed off to the public.

The island community had raised accusations against two individuals, native to Thoddoo island in Alif Alif atoll, who have since been taken into police custody. However, police did not confirm that their arrest is linked to the murder.

The body of the brutally slain entrepreneur was transported back to the island, following forensic examinations in capital Malé City on October 15. A CT scan and additional tests were conducted at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. His funeral rites took place in the island the same day.

Police officers continue to search the residences in the area where his body was found. The area is currently closed off to the public.

Mahmood’s spouse, Moomina Umar has urged President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to bring the perpetrators in front of justice. The president is to have made a condolences-call to the family, and assured them that the investigation will proceed without interruption. He also gave the family the assurance that the authorities would use all available resources to find the perpetrators.