Over 6,000 people sign petition calling for justice for Yumnu

More than 6,000 people have signed a petition calling for justice for 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who was found fallen on the roof from the ninth floor of Henveiru Fentenoy in Henveiru-ward of the capital Malé City early April 18.

By sundown on Saturday, 6,727 people had signed the online petition.

The petition, initiated by youth, calls for justice for Yumnu and conducting a transparent investigation.

In addition to this, it calls for the publication of all findings of the investigation and bringing all those involved in the case, before justice. The petition also includes a call for international human rights organizations to closely monitor the case.

Many young adults have been gathering on the streets and protesting, claiming negligence on the part of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and institutions in Yumnu’s case. In the ongoing series of protests, many members of the public participated in the demonstration on Friday night as well. They have also called for the resignation of senior officials of government agencies who are accused of negligence in the case.

Further, youth voiced many demands during Friday night's protest. Ten demands were made. These include conducting the police investigation independently, arresting and prosecuting relatives of influential figures or “nepo babies” suspected in the case, and demanding the police to stop lying and provide accurate information about the incident.

In connection with the case where Yumnu was found fallen, Raud Ahmed Zilal, 21, of G. Eriyadhoo, who was with her at the time, has been arrested. When brought before the Criminal Court to decide on his remand, he was remanded for five days.

While the police have provided different information about the case at different times, according to the court order issued for Raud's remand, there was a dispute between Raud and Yumnu on the night before Yumnu fell.

The police also told the court that shortly after the time Yumnu is believed to have fallen, when asked about Yumnu's whereabouts, Raud said he didn't know and that she was believed to have fallen.

When the police requested a court order to arrest Raud, they alleged that he is believed to have been involved in Yumnu's fall. They also alleged that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident and attempted sexual assault.

In the investigation into the case where Yumnu was found fallen on the roof of a warehouse next to H. Fentenoy, the police have now identified the people believed to have been with her that night, taken their statements, and banned them from leaving the country.

The police have also stated that they have seized the phones of nine people connected to the case.