One month on, still no progress; Yumnu’s family left in the dark
On April 15, the Criminal Court extended Raud's detention by 20 days
H. Fentenoy, where Yumnu allegedly "fell" from; she is seen with Raud Ahmed Zilaal
The family of 21-year-old Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who was found fallen onto a roof from the ninth floor of H. Fentenoy in the early hours of April 18, has asserted that there has been no progress in the investigation even a month after the incident.
Taking to social media platform ‘X’, the family said they are concerned about the lack of progress in the investigation linked to Yumnu’s “fall”. They also stressed that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has not handled the case properly. In their statement, the family emphasized that the police have been trying to steer the investigation in a particular direction.
The family further said that it is dangerous for those who committed cruel and inhumane acts against Yumnu to be free. They also stated that there is plenty of evidence of political influence on the investigation of Yumnu’s “fall”. The family noted that Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen had admitted in the People’s Majlis that he had called the then-Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau.
The statement goes on to read that searching and inspecting places related to the incident without a court order would invalidate those actions in court proceedings, and that this act is also an attempt to obstruct justice. The family also criticized Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan for stating that there was no negligence on the part of the police in the case, even though the police had given false information.
In connection with Yumnu’s fall, police arrested 21-year-old Raud Ahmed Zilal on April 24, suspecting his involvement in the incident. This was six days after Yumnu’s fall.
The police have alleged Raud's involvement in Yumnu’s fall, in addition to accusing him of being intoxicated at the time of the incident and attempting to commit sexual assault.
Although the police made these allegations when requesting Raud's remand, they previously stated that no other person or group was believed to be involved in Yumnu’s fall. The police have also released the profiles of seven other individuals who were with her that night, before the incident occurred.
On April 15, the Criminal Court extended Raud's detention by 20 days. This is the fourth time his detention period has been extended.
