Raud's remand extended by five more days

The detention period of Raud Ahmed Zilaal, who is the main suspect linked to the case of 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed who was found fallen from H. Fentenoy onto the roof of an adjacent warehouse in the early hours of April 18, has been extended.

The Criminal Court on Saturday ordered to extend the suspect’s remand by five more days for the investigation into the incident where Yumnu “fell” onto the roof of H. Mithaaz from H. Fentenoy.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) arrested Raud on suspicion of involvement in Yumnu's fall on April 24, six days after the incident occurred.

After initially detaining Raud for five days in Yumnu’s case, his detention was extended by 10 days. This is the third time his detention period has been extended. This time, he has been ordered to be held in detention for five additional days.

The police institution has alleged that Raud is suspected of being involved in Yumnu’s fall, in addition to being intoxicated at the time of the incident and attempting to commit sexual assault.

While the police made these allegations when requesting Raud's detention, they had earlier stated that no other individuals or groups were believed to be involved in Yumnu’s fall. In addition to this, the police have disclosed information about seven other individuals who were with Yumnu on the night of the incident.

Everyone except Raud had refused to provide urine samples to the police. While not much detail has been revealed about the police investigation into these individuals, two people among them are nephews of Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen.

The police institution has also seized the phones of all these individuals under a court order. In connection with the case, police have also searched the terrace and second and fourth floors of M. Maandhooge Dhekunuge, the home of Minister Ameen and his siblings, as well as the third floor of G. Kashiveli. However, police have stated that nothing related to the case was found in these locations. CCTV footage from Maandhooge Dhekunuge was also not available to the police.

Yumnu has since been taken to Malaysia by her family for further medical treatment. According to her family, doctors have successfully performed the most delicate and complex surgery required for the 21-year-old victim.

In response to growing public outcry over alleged police negligence in investigating Yumnu’s fall, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has since established a presidential commission to investigate the case. Several continue to voice concerns about the police’s handling of the case, with the strongest criticism centered on suspicions that authorities may have attempted to conceal or mislead information without making any arrests.

As Yumnu continues to receive treatment for her injuries in Malaysia, her family has asserted that she did not jump on her own. According to them, Yumnu has stated that four individuals were present at H. Fentenoy on the night of the incident, in addition to Raud Ahmed Zilaal. However, the family has not disclosed the identities of these four individuals.