There were attempts to pin MP's murder on MDP: speaker

Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed has expressed concern over the inquiry commission’s report on Dr. Afrasheem Ali’s murder.

At a sitting held on Sunday, the speaker highlighted some issues in the report by the Commission on Murders and Enforced Disappearances.

As such, he highlighted then-Police Commission Abdulla Riyaz’s statement that their investigation did not show any dispute between the murdered MP and any religious groups and that his murder was politically motivated with an MVR four million pay day, at a press conference held on 4th December 2012.

He also noted that there were numerous individuals working to create hatred towards Dr. Afrasheem, adding that religious Salaf Group and “Habeys” youtube channel had described him as a “dangerous” person. The former president noted that this was due to a difference in opinion, regarding some religious matters.

Further highlighting that these individuals are yet to be penalized, Nasheed claimed that there were attempts to hide the fact the Azlif Rauf was involved in the murder despite being aware of this.

He added that the presidential commission’s report proves that this was done with the backing from politicians.

Furthermore, Speaker Nasheed expressed concern over the commission not being given some evidence collected by the police, including CCTV footage, some call data and intelligence information.

He added that this was “an obstacle” to the commission’s investigation.

Further noting that the report states that the murder was contracted for MVR four million, Nasheed stressed the importance of further investigating “how this money had traveled.”

This can still be done through Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), he said.

The former president also said that the report proves that there were more people involved in the murder.

He said that there were people “in kurtas” stationed at Crusty’s restaurant near Afrasheem’s house, and called to investigate whom these individuals are and what they were doing there.

The Commission on Murders and Enforced Disappearances sent its investigative report on the lawmaker’s murder to the President’s Office earlier this month, and it has since been forwarded to the relevant institutions.

It was also presented to the People’s Majlis, and they have decided to publicize a summary of the report.

While the report has not been publicized, local media outlets have been reporting on its findings, including that the report shows no proof of political motivation behind the murder, or an exchange of cash, and that then-Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officer Azlif Rauf was assigned the murder by a religious group.

Dr. Afrasheem's family has said that they do not accept the commission's report, and accusing them of "playing a drama in the name of an investigation."