The remand period has been extended for Ahmed Aashid, who was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the brutal murder of Abdul Rahman Adam, 65, from Maalhos island of Alif Alif atoll.

Authorities were alerted at approximately 1:50am on July 13, when the victim was brought to the Maalhos Health Center for emergency treatment. He succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the morning while under medical care.

Investigators say Abdul Rahman was attacked while sleeping at home. On the night of the incident, he and his wife were reportedly sleeping in separate rooms. Of their three sons who usually live on the island, none were present, the only son residing on Maalhos was in the capital Malé City at the time. As a result, only Abdul Rahman and his wife were at home during the time of the assault.

An autopsy was also conducted following his death. The Maldives Police Service (MPS) confirmed that preliminary findings point to a fatal head injury as the cause of death.

Mohamed Visam, 22, Ahmed Faris, 27, and Ahmed Aashid, 27, all native to Maalhos island, were arrested in mid-August in connection with the case.

The police institution revealed that when these individuals were initially presented to the court for a remand hearing, the court ordered Visam and Faris to be held in custody until the end of the trial, while Aashid was ordered to be detained for five days. Among these three individuals, Visam and Faris were arrested in Maalhos, while Aashid was arrested in the capital, Malé City.

Following the expiration of his remand period, Aashid was presented before the court for a second remand hearing, and he was ordered to be detained for 30 more days.

In connection with the case, on August 10, phones and clothes belonging to five individuals were taken into police custody. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the homes of all three suspects were searched earlier in August, during which police reportedly collected clothing items as evidence. The individuals arrested are believed to be the same individuals whose homes were searched.

Reports indicate that the suspects were seen moving around the island on the night Abdul Rahman Adam was attacked.

Further investigations are currently underway in connection with the case.