The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched an investigation into the conduct of the authorities in the search for Mohamed Asir Ismail.

Asir, 31, native to Maradhoo island in Seenu atoll, was reported missing on February 5. He was reported missing at around 19.30pm on February 4, with his family claiming that there was no news of him.

Almost a fortnight since he went missing, MPS announced that they had located him sometime after sundown on February 16. He was reported in safe condition when he was found.

On Sunday, the police institution revealed that Asir was located inside the airport terminal and that they are looking into the matter further.

MPS sought public assistance in locating Asir, on February 7.

In a press release issued earlier regarding efforts to locate Asir, police revealed that they had combed through the CCTV footages of surveillance cameras placed in different locations including his residence, H. Alshaavilaa as well as the Velana International Airport (VIA) where he was last spotted.

As such, police had analyzed more than 150 hours’ worth of CCTV footage as part of the efforts to locate Asir.

These cameras included VIA Aviation Security Command Cameras, TMA cameras and those based at the airport ferry region.

Some of the footage shows Asir active near the airport region.

As such, he was seen boarding a white taxi near the Hulhulé Ferry Terminal in Boduthakurufaanu Magu at around 07:20pm on February 4.

Police highlighted that the CCTV footage shows Asir getting out of the cab once it reached the airport terminal and showed him entering the terminal.

The authorities remain unsure of his next location as there were no more cameras in the area, after entering the airport.

The investigative team had also brought the driver of the white taxi Asir was seen boarding, for questioning.

In search of Asir, authorities searched all the vessels docked at the airport lagoon to see if he had been spotted. As such, individuals in the region were shown a picture of Asir and inquired if they had seen him.

Apart from conducting raids at various locations at the airport, authorities also checked if any bookings were made under Asir’s name.

Findings confirm that Asir had not flown abroad and that he had not flown aboard any airline domestically either.

Police had also checked whether Asir had made any bookings at any guesthouses in the capital region or at Maafushi island in Kaafu atoll.

Minister of Home Affairs, Sheikh Imran Abdulla had expressed gratitude for the resilient efforts of the police institution in locating the missing man.