The Presidential Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances (DDCom) has revealed former President Abdulla Yameen chose to remain silent upon being summoned to the commission for investigation.
DDCom stated the former president was summoned to the commission as part of the investigation into the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla. DDCom said former President Yameen was summoned to allow him to respond to the accusations raised against him. However, the commission said Yameen chose to remain silent, despite repeated requests to speak.
Ahmed Rilwan, who was working as a journalist for Minivan News, has been missing since August 8, 2014. The findings of DDCom into the case indicate he was abducted and murdered but no charges have been pressed due to the lack of sufficient credible evidence. DDCom has stated it is continuing the investigation with the help of an international investigator.
Additionally, DDCom has stated it is working to find more information on a knife found during the investigation and that it believes there are more people who have information who have yet to come forward. The commission also announced a reward of USD 32,000 reward for anyone who can provide enough information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Rilwan's disappearance.
Although DDCom previously formulated a report on the case and filed for prosecution, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) rejected the report after citing missing investigative information.