The father of Yameen Rasheed has said he does not believe the suspects arrested over his brutal murder were really behind the killing.

On 22 April 2017, Yameen Rasheed was found with 14 stab wounds to his neck and chest in the stairwell of his apartment building in capital city Male’. He died shortly after being taken to hospital.

In a panel discussion held on the one-year anniversary of his death on Sunday, Hussain Rasheed said that Yameen had no connection to criminal gangs and that the suspects had no connection to Yameen.

His father said that he knew that any chance of receiving justice was quashed when the police investigation concluded that he was murdered for criticizing Islam. Hussain Rasheed said that the police have been trying to bury the case and have refused to answer any questions. He also said that the police service had ignored the death threats against Yameen before and that the Civil Court’s rejection of the negligent case against the police service showed that justice will not be served.

The trial against the eight suspects is being held behind closed doors.