Maldives Police Service (MPS) has on Monday revealed that the two suspects- whose photos it had publicized in connection to writer Yameen Rasheed’s murder- believed to be actively involved in the murder are in custody.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, MPS said that a total of seven suspects have been arrested over the murder so far, including the two suspects whose photos police had publicized on April 25.
“Among the seven suspects under police custody, Maldives Police Service would like to confirm that two among them are the individuals seen on CCTV footage released to the public entering and exiting the scene of crime after brutally stabbing Yameen Rasheed”, reads the statement.
Police reiterated that it is confident that the investigation will be completed successfully “following the significant advancements ensued in the case”, assuring the public its commitment “to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice has never faltered”.
While police have revealed that seven suspects have been arrested in the murder, the first arrest was made on May 1. Mohamed Dhifran, 25, was arrested in the morning and later taken to his residence in the capital Malé City, where officers proceeded to search in his presence. The second arrest was made two days later on May 3.
Later, on May 9, police revealed that six suspects had been arrested in relation to Yameen’s murder, but did not reveal their identities.
On Sunday, police said that it had apprehended the lawyer representing those currently in detention for Yameen Rasheed’s murder, allegedly for obstructing the investigation.
Yameen Rasheed was stabbed to death in a brutal attack that shook the nation, early morning on April 25. The blogger and pro-democracy activist was found in the stairwell of his home with over 30 stab wounds to his chest, neck and head, according to his family.
Yameen’s family is seeking an independent and international investigation into the murder, especially as they feel that the Maldives Police Service had been negligent in his murder, by failing to protect his life despite the multiple death threats he had reported.
