Charges against two youth protest leaders being dropped

The Prosecutor General's Office has decided to drop the charges against two youth protest leaders Abdulla Mahzoom Majeed and Aishath Shiman Ahmed regarding their involvement in leading protests calling for justice for Hawwa Yumn Rasheed, who had fallen from a building in Male'.

The youth protest had centered around accusations that the police were negligent regarding their investigation into Yumn's case in April. Once the protest had been dispersed, Mahzoom and Shiman were taken into custody, with them receiving an extension to their remand. However, they were both released.

Mahzoom, 28, was charged with attempting to assault an officer. Shiman, 19, was charged with obstruction of duty.

The Prosecutor General's Office stated that they decided to drop the charges due to them not having a criminal record, along with their actions having not caused harm to others.

In response to the public outcry, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu formed a special presidential commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding Yumn's fall. The commission later concluded that police had been negligent in aspects of the investigation.

Raudh Ahmed Zilal, who was the individual who had last seen Yumn before her fall, was arrested and has pleaded guilty to charges raised against him.

Yumn has received medical attention from abroad for the injuries she sustained in the incident.