Slain religious scholar and lawmaker Dr. Afrasheem Ali had expressed his support for now main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), says Joint Opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking at a campaign event on Friday in Ungoofaru, Dr. Afrasheem’s native island, Solih said that, during their last conversation, Dr. Afrasheem had told him that if he were ever to be in a political party, it would be in MDP.

Dr. Afrasheem had also said that he had only been in Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and now ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) due to his adoration for former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Solih praised Dr. Afrasheem for being steadfast in teaching the true meaning of Islam and said that he had been close friends with Dr. Afrasheem despite their political differences.

Noting the number of serious unsolved crimes in the past few years, Solih said that Dr. Afrasheem’s murder has still not been solved and that authorities had closed the case after making a scapegoat out of a minor.

Solih added that he would properly investigate all the unsolved 31 deaths during his administration.