Woman's fall from Fentoniya: Police seizes phones of all persons of interest

Maldives Police Service has seized the phone of all persons of interest identified in connection to the discovery of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, a 21 year old woman, fallen on to the roof of a warehouse from H. Fentoniya during the early hours of April 18, 2025.

According to the agency, a total of nine individual's phones were collected as part of the investigation.

Police revealed the identities of eight people found to have been with her that night, in a press conference held on April 24, 2025. They are:

- Raudh Ahmed Zilal (21) - Main person accused

- Aishath Layaaly Iqbal (22)

- Izdhiyaan Mohamed Maumoon (28)

- Yoosuf Ahmed Akram (22)

- Yoosuf Yassar Abdul Ghafoor (28)

- Aminath Junaidha Jamsheed (24)

- Hussain Hamees Ali (28)

- Ijaz Jaiz (24)

During the press conference, Police Commissioner Ali Shujau said the agency had gotten a travel ban issued on these individuals as well.

According to police, before going to Fentoniya, Raudh and Yumnu were with the person's of interest at Maandhooge Dhekunuge, before they all went to Kashivelige. From there, it is said that only Raudh and Yumnu went to Fentoniya.

As the investigation continues, nightly protests have broken out in capital Malé, demanding justice for Yumnu and a fair investigation.

Friday night's protests also called for the resignation of CP Shujau, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan and Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, given the involvement of his relatives in the case.

One of the houses Yumnu and the persons of interest visited before Raudh and Yumnu went to Fentoniya that morning is also co-owned by Minister Ameen.

Raudh was arrested on Friday, a week after the incident occurred. He is currently held in remand for five days.

Although police previously said that Raudh had no hand in Yumnu's fall, the agency later told the court that there was a dispute between the pair that morning.

Police also said Raudh had said that he did not know where Yumnu was and believed that she fell, when was asked where she was sometime after her fall.

However, police did not say who Raudh told this to.