Journalist Rilwan’s disappearance remains unsolved

The family of journalist Ahmed Rilwan has said that the presidential commission has not been able to explain his disappearance.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih formed the Commission on Murders and Enforced Disappearances on his first day in office, to investigate unsolved cases such as Rilwan’s abduction and disappearance.

Speaking to RaajjeTV at a launching event on Friday for a book containing Rilwan’s thoughts and opinions, his sister Shehenaz Adnan said she is disappointed to see the parliament got into recess without reforming the judiciary and that she asks speaker Mohamed Nasheed to fix the courts before heading to recess.

She noted that the government has been unable to solve the case even after five years.

At the launching event, she thanked the Maldives Democracy Network, journalists, and people working to find justice for Rilwan and expressed hope that their book will put an end to the rumors that he was against religion.

On the same day, foreign minister Abdulla Shahid marked the International Day of the Victims in a tweet by stating that the government stands committed to bringing those responsible for Rilwan’s disappearance to justice.

Rilwan was last seen purchasing a ticket at the ferry terminal in capital city Malé on August 8th, 2014.

In August 2016, two years later, police confirmed that he was abducted and that one of the men caught trailing Rilwan on CCTV footage had been identified as Mohamed Suaid, who was arrested but released by the Criminal Court in November 2014. Shortly after, Suad left to fight in Syria with the brother of one of the suspects in the case, Aalif Rauf. Authorities stated that both died in battle.

Aalif and Mohamed Nooradeen were charged, but were acquitted last year citing insufficient evidence.