The Criminal Court of the Maldives has ordered that the three suspects in the alleged abduction and murder of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla be placed under remand for the rest of their trial.
The Maldives Police Service arrested 39-year-old Ahmed Ismail, 40-year-old Ahmed Muaz, and 30-year-old Ismail Abdul Raheem for allegedly planning and taking part in the abduction and murder of Rilwan. The Criminal Court has since ordered that they remain in detention for the rest of their trial.
The report formulated by the Presidential Commission on Deaths and Disappearances (DDCom) had also indicated their involvement in the case. In the report, DDCom stated that Ismail Abdul Raheem had followed Rilwan before his disappearance and that he was previously deported from Turkey after being caught crossing the border to Syria. The report also showed that he had been involved in various extremist activities in the Maldives.
According to DDCom, Rilwan was abducted and murdered and the commission has stated that the investigation is ongoing with assistance from a foreign investigator.
