No evidence of police misconduct in Yumnu case probe: Ihusaan

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has claimed that no police misconduct has been identified so far in the investigation of the incident involving 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who was found fallen on the roof of H. Mithaaz from H. Fentenoy in the early hours of April 18.

Ihusaan made these remarks while answering a question during a forum held on Monday night, titled "Ahaa Forum".

Responding to a question directed at the minister during Monday night's forum, he said that the details of Yumnu’s case were initially circulated on social media in a “very negative” manner. He stated that the information spread in connection with the case was baseless and that he was very concerned about it.

Ihusaan said that the footage examined by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) reveals that the stories circulated about Yumnu at the time were “false”. He stated that information was disclosed in the case “faster than in any other investigation from the very first day”.

While the police institution is investigating the matter according to established standards, Ihusaan noted that relevant authorities are also monitoring to ensure that the police are conducting the investigation properly.

The home minister has defended the police institution for their conduct, at a time the institution stated that Yumnu “fell on her own”. They also initially revealed that their investigations did not indicate the involvement of any other party in the incident.

However, several members of the public have been conducting a series of protests seeking justice for the 21-year-old victim, claiming that they do not trust the police institution and that the police are lying in connection with the case.

Yumnu’s family has also stated, citing her, that she did not jump from H. Fentenoy on her own. Their statement indicates that she was pushed and that it was not an accident.

In the protests, young people have been calling for the resignation of senior state officials related to the case. After protests began to boil over, the then Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau resigned. In addition to this, Chief Inspector of Police Mohamed Samih, who was in charge of the police's Death and Homicide Investigation Unit, has been dismissed from his position.

A special commission to investigate the case was established by a decree of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on April 27.

The commission said on Monday that its members have visited places related to the case and met with relevant employees of related institutions. The commission also highlighted that they have begun gathering information from people connected to the case.

While Yumnu is currently receiving treatment in Malaysia, the police have disclosed the identities of eight people who were suspected of being with her on the night she fell. The police have also stated that they have confiscated the phones of everyone connected to the case, including the victim.

So far, in Yumnu’s case, only Raud Ahmed Zilal, who was seen with her at the time of her fall, has been arrested.