The family of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan, on Monday, released a statement urging government authorities to take immediate action against perpetrators, after the Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearance revealed that evidence indicated that Rilwan was murdered.
The commission's president, Husnu al-Suood, revealed at a press conference held Sunday that evidence implied that Rilwan was killed by a local group affiliated with al-Qaeda, a militant extremist multi-national organisation. Members of the commission met with the family before disclosing its findings to the public.
The family's statement also called on authorities to thoroughly investigate all individuals culpable of planning or financing the journalist's forced disappearance and prevent them from fleeing the country by swiftly prosecuting them.
Additionally, the statement asserts that "government officials implicated in derailing and obstructing the police investigation should be made subject to the law".
The family also requested authorities to provide security for them, along with members of the Commission, witnesses, and other individuals receiving threats from violent groups.
According to Suood, Rilwan was abducted near his apartment in reclaimed suburb Hulhumale'. Rilwan was then transferred to a dinghy and killed on a marine vessel. However, Suood said that disparities between different testimonies prevented the aforementioned evidence from being sufficient to prove a murder.
Speaking to local media outlet Mihaaru, Rilwan's sister Shehenaaz Adam stated that the family had maintained hopes of meeting him until Monday's announcement which forced them to accept his demise.
Furthermore, Shehenaaz criticized the police and courts for being negligent in Rilwan's case and called on Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed to investigate individuals culpable of negligence.
Expressing her belief that justice could not be delivered under the current judicial system, Shehenaaz emphasized the necessity of reform within Maldivian courts.
Since his abduction on August 8, 2014, Rilwan's family has initiated and actively participated in numerous efforts to confirm the whereabouts of the missing journalist.
"As a family, for the past five years, we were forced to confront high-level officials accused of enabling perpetrators, or acting negligently, while having prior information about the planned abduction".
"Endeavouring to get justice for Rilwan has taken an immeasurable toll on the family. Ordinary families are not equipped to handle such a tragedy, but we decided to face this to prevent the possibility of another family suffering the same experience".
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