Yameen’s estranged coalition partner meets Rilwan’s family

Ahmed Siyam, leader of the Maldives Development Alliance which announced bipartisanship ahead of the presidential elections this year after supporting the government, has met with the family of abducted journalist Ahmed Rilwan’s family.

According to the party, Siyam had discussed concerns the family has about Rilwan’s abduction, the police investigation into the case, and the judicial proceedings for it. All suspects charged in the case have been released.

Siyam had also reportedly told the family that he intends to support them ‘in any way possible’ and to ensure that the investigation into the case, which president-elect Ibrahim Solih had pledged to take up again, is carried out smoothly.

The Criminal Court on August 2nd acquitted two individuals of terrorism charges. Presiding Judge Adam Arif said there is sufficient evidence to convict the defendants, Aalif Rauf and Mohamed Nooradheen, of being ‘involved with a network of several people’ in Rilwan’s abduction.

While the court acquitted the two men, the slow-moving proceedings have been heavily criticized. Human rights activist and prominent lawyers have expressed concern about the investigation and trial, describing them as incomplete and false.

Rauf and Nooradheen were accused of forcing Rilwan into a car outside his apartment on the night of his disappearance, 8th August 2014. Efforts from his family and friends to pressure authorities into making the case a bigger priority have been suppressed.

A demonstration calling for justice in Rilwan’s disappearance and blogger Yameen Rasheed’s murder had been disbanded through force. Officers had arrested participants and confiscated signs, and used pepper spray and other riot-control tactics.

Rilwan’s brother, Moosa Rilwan, said in an interview on the day of the acquittal that they will ‘continue to seek justice, as long as it takes’.